Our campaign is now complete. 16 supporters helped us raise £280.00
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Visit the charity's profileMy name is Milan. I am 17 years old and have Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome - a rare genetic disorder that causes symptoms including a reduction in muscle tone (hypotonia).
I am raising money for the Crossroads Care Saturday Club. It is an amazing place where we can make friends and do activities, and learn new skills like karate and street dance.
I started karate lessons at the Saturday Club back in 2015. Having worked really hard, I'm now a Yellow Belt. I love the sport, and was so proud to have recently been chosen as the 2021 karate student of the year. My sensei gave me the award because he said he was impressed by my 'can-do' attitude.
I have managed to do 50 press-ups in one go so far which, in this style of karate, is the minimum required for Black Belt, but I plan to go a step further than that and achieve 100 press-ups in one go.
Even though it's going to be really hard, I think I can do it, but I don't want to do it just for me, I want to do it for the Saturday Club and all the young people that it helps. So, I'm hoping that you will sponsor me. Ten pence for each press-up I do would mean giving just £10.
It's incredibly difficult to do 100 press-ups in a row, especially given Milan's condition, but I'm encouraging him to increase by five each day,' says Tony Sakim, Saturday Club karate sensei. 'I'm quite strict on it, Milan needs to dip low to the floor for the press-up to count. But if he keeps practising the way he has been, I have every confidence he can reach his target.
We're so proud of Milan,' says Crossroads Care CEO Julie Da Costa. 'He has overcome many challenges, both physically and emotionally, and is such a dedicated karate student. Doing the fundraiser was entirely his idea which just goes to show what a lovely, kind young man he has become. We'll be cheering him on from the side-lines. Thank you so much, Milan.
The Crossroads Care Saturday Club has been running for over 20 years, thanks to funding from our core supporters Richmond Parish Lands Charity, Hampton Fund, Barnes Fund and BBC Children in Need.
Our highly-trained staff team often support these children and young people over a long period, providing consistency, stability, and guidance, and improving outcomes around mental and physical wellbeing by providing a range of weekly activities, such as street dance, karate, cooking and arts and crafts. It provides them with a safe and fun place, and often a break from their caring roles.
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