Children in south Cumbria are set to gain more 'discipline and self-confidence' through martial arts thanks to community funding.
David Allen - Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner - visited Cumbria Taekwondo's club in Ulverston at the end of last month.
This came after the club became one of the beneficiaries of the Commissioner's Community Fund, designed to support local projects that 'help make communities safer and stronger'.
Mr Allen said: "It's pretty busy and well attended - I'm here for the Community Fund.
"My office have given £2,500 to this club and they've used it to buy a lot of training kit so that the kids have got stuff that they can use on a nightly basis when they come for the training."
Funding through the scheme comes from property that cannot be returned and has been legally sold by the police, along with contributions from the Commissioner’s budget.
It was said to be 'fantastic' to watch the club members in action, witnessing their 'dedication and talent' on full display.
Cumbria Taekwondo was praised for providing 'valuable opportunities' for people in the area.
Mr Allen added: "I feel really strongly about this - I had a lot of martial arts in my youth when I was growing up, I did a lot of karate.
"It instils in you a discipline - a sort of wellbeing and discipline - which is really important when you're growing up, especially in this day and age with videos and mobile phones, and it gives you a lot of self-confidence."
People of all ages can join Cumbria Taekwondo with clubs in Ulverston and Barrow.
Kevin Thompson, the Chief Instructor, commented: "We've used the funding to buy lots of equipment for the people who are interested in competing, so we've got more sparring equipment.
"And it's helped us a lot - we've got more classes and more equipment."
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