YOUNG members of a Verwood martial arts club raised more than £1,000 for injured soldiers after putting their skills to the test.

The Black Belt Academy welcomed Help for Heroes representatives to its graduation ceremony on Saturday, where the money raised during a ‘1,000 techniques’ event last month was officially handed over.

Simon Bushby, who runs the academy, said around 30 children, aged five and above took part.

It involved all of the academy’s children’s classes getting together as one to go through 1,000 different martial arts techniques, with Verwood mayor, Cllr Peter Richardson, looking on.

On his students’ accomplishments, Simon told the Daily Echo: “What everyone at the club has managed to achieve, to raise all that money, is outstanding.

“I am really pleased and proud of all of my students in the school”

Asked if the academy planned to do any more fundraising events, he said: “There is nothing in the pipeline at the moment, but as we’ve raised such a fantastic amount this time around, there is no reason why we shouldn’t go and do something again in the future.

“Hopefully we will be able to work with Help for Heroes again, as they are such a worthwhile cause.”

Neal Williams, from the Verwood branch of Help for Heroes, said the charity was trying to do as much as it could in the area.

Simon explained: “I do adventure racing and one of the races, the Tough Mudder, was in aid of Help for Heroes.

“I thought it was a worthwhile cause to do something for. I got in touch with the local branch and it went from there.”