Sooke Shukokai Karate (SSK) will be holding a fundraiser tournament for cystic fibrosis on May 27 in the basement of the Sooke Community Hall from 1 p.m. onward.
The Fight For Life! will be an interclub tournament where all the proceeds will go toward Great Strides in the Netherlands to help raise money for cystic fibrosis research.
Cystic fibrosis hits close to home for SSK sensei and co-founder, Alida Ensil, whose nephew, currently residing in the Netherlands, has a three-year-old son afflicted with the disease.
She participated in the first Great Strides walk in the Holland last year along with family members, and became inspired to become a regular supporter.
“I believe all the Great Strides walks and their funding work together. It does not matter where the research is done, they all work for the same outcome -- finding a cure,” she said, via email.
“I promised my nephew... and founder of the Great Strides in the Netherlands that this portion will go to them.”
Throughout the afternoon, club members will be competing in Kumite (sparring), Kata (a series of detailed movements and patterns) and team Kata events for audiences.
In addition to the show, there will be a bake sale and coffee, pop and pizza available for purchase.
Funds will mainly be raised by donations, food sales and entrant fees for club members, which are $10 per division.
Entrance to the event will be by donation.
“Depending on how much money is being made, I hope to match it myself so we can send a lot of money off,” Ensil said.
The Great Strides walk is also held in Canada by Cystic Fibrosis Canada, where individual donors walk and raise pledges for research.
The event is the organization’s largest national fundraising event, and will be held around the nation on the same day as the tournament on May 27.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited life-threatening condition that causes a thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract, making it difficult to breathe and absorb food nutrients.