We can do!

SUZI Banks, front centre, with some of the members and instructors. Picture by DARREN ROBINSON

A NEW mixed martial arts club which attracted over 60 members in its first seven months was made possible with the help of First Choice Homes Oldham and Oldham Council.

Both the council and FCHO provided £1,000 grants each to help Suzi Bank set up the Sholver Dragons which has become a hub of the community.

It started when a FCHO engineer visited Suzi's house to carry out repair work and they began chatting about her love for martial arts and her desire to one day run her own club.

A week later the same engineer came back to her home to tell her he had spoken with his boss and they were going to supply a grant through the FCHO New Innovations Fund to help her get up and running.

That, coupled with the council grant, which came from funds given to the East Oldham District Executive, saw Suzi set up the club at Sholver Community Hub, Sholver Lane, where they now train on a Monday and Wednesday from 4.30pm - 6pm.

Popularity has grown since they began with over 60 students enjoying a mix between taekwondo, boxing and shotokan. Originally designed to give local youths something to do has also seen parents trying their hand.

Instructor Suzi Banks, who began training at about eight-years-old, said: "We've gone from being nothing to having 60 students and counting. It started off being just for kids but now mums train, the club is for the community. "We do a bit of everything in a controlled manner."

Jill Beaumont, Director of Children's Social Care and Early Help, said: "The £1,000 grant came from funds given to The East Oldham District Executive.

"Sholver Dragons has made a huge difference to the community. Suzi Banks, has done a fantastic job engaging with young people of Sholver."