Charity

One of the objectives of SHOTORAMA is to strengthen the community and we do it through raising money for charity. The event is run as a not-for-profit and we only pay the instructors only a nominal fee to cover their travel expenses. Any money we make over and above covering the running expenses is then given to our nominated charity.

Surely there can be no better way to celebrate our love of karate than to spend a whole day with like minded people and on the back of it support a worthy charity!

2022

As we are planning this year’s event we are shocked by the terrible events unfolding in the Ukraine. A war started on the whim of a ruthless dictator reminiscent of Europe’s darkest age. Once again Europe is witnessing streams of refugees, bombed out buildings and once bustling cities now laying in ruin. Given the extreme circumstance the choice of charity for 2022 was straightforward because ever since it’s founding in 1863 the Red Cross has sought to maintain human dignity and compassion even in the midst of war. We are very much hopeful that this tragedy will be over soon, for it cannot end soon enough, but even in the best case scenario the damage is already immense and the challange of rebuilding formidable.

2021

This year we’ve chosen to support Medecins sans Frontieres who deliver critical medical aid where it is most needed and where the people can least afford it. COVID-19 is ravaging many communities in poor and developing countries and not nearly enough vaccines are made available for them. MSF are trying to tackle this crisis on the ground as well as by campaigning to convince western governments to deliver more vaccines to those places.

2019

This year’s nominated charity is Zachary Geddis Break the Silence Trust created in memory of Zachary Geddis who was a member of the KUGB in Northern Ireland and KUGB squad. Zachary took his own life at the age of 20 whilst attending university. The charity was developed by the Geddis Family, to attempt to prevent any other family from experiencing the heartache that they have been subject to. The Zachary Geddis Break the Silence Trust aims to bring more awareness to the community of Northern Ireland surrounding the topic of Mental Health and decrease the stigma surrounding Suicide.

2018

The nominated charity for 2018 was The Transplant Association who aim to promote the need and understanding of signing the donor register and donor awareness. Our instructors and participants helped raised £180 for the charity.