Mansfield Building Society has donated £400 through its Community Support Scheme to help Shirebrook Judo Club buy specialist training equipment.

The club, which has 30 members, offers martial arts training for all ages and abilities, including classes for children and young adults provided by British Judo Council-qualified volunteer coaches.

The club competes at both local and national events, with a junior club member recently winning a gold medal at the BJC National Championships and becoming the under-12 national heavyweight champion.

Lee Spinks, senior coach at Shirebrook Judo Club, said: “All of our coaches are great role models for the younger members, and have helped them increase their confidence, give them a sense of discipline and teach them a new skill.

“The Mansfield’s funding for training equipment such as stretch bands and fighting mannequins means that we can provide the best possible training and enable members to reach their full potential.”

Tara Nicholson, customer relationship manager at the society, pictured visiting the club, said: “To see the children using the equipment funded by the society showed me how welcome our funding is in helping local groups provide quality coaching.”