RAMSEY’S Ace Kick Boxing Club will once again be flying the flag for England at the WKA World Kick Boxing Championships in Spain later this year.

The Blackburn club has maintained its proud tradition of producing fighters who get the chance to test themselves against the best in the world.

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And, on more than one occasion, Ace fighters have returned home as world champions themselves - with the likes of Connor Gray, Chris Garraghty and Dale Bannister all enjoying global glory.

But winning national titles to earn the right to compete at the highest level is only part of the story for a club not blessed with an endless flow of cash.

For it costs around £600 for each fighter to compete and with 10 already qualified for Spain - and the potential for more to follow - that is a lot of fund-raising.

Head coach Paul Ramsey, who set up his own club 12 years ago, said he owes it to his young fighters to try and get them there, whatever it takes.

“Winning National titles and qualifying for the world championships is a great achievement in itself but basically that is where the hard work begins,” said Ramsey, a sixth dan in kick boxing and ju jitsu.

“Funding the trips is very difficult and everyone plays their part in helping these youngsters get the chance to realise their dreams.”

“We could easily say we are not going to bother but that would deny youngsters the chance to compete at that level.”

Ramsey’s did actually take a year out last year purely because finding funds became so difficult but now they are back and raring to go.

“It became too much and the relentless fund raising took its toll,” said Ramsey. “But we are looking forward to a busy few months trying to get the money together to get out there."

He added: “We don’t just go there to make up the numbers. Over the years, we have a proud tradition of producing a number of world champions.

“So it is a case of trying to get as many fighters to qualify and then figure out how to get them there.”

Ramsey set up Ace Kick Boxing Club 12 years ago after his Sensei, Ray Parker, who founded Blackburn Martial Arts and Kick Boxing Club, retired from martial arts.

The club is based at Chadwick Street Mill off Bolton Road and Ramsey added: “Ray was my inspiration and teacher when I took up the sport 20 years ago. He taught me everything, showed my how martial arts can instil discipline and set boundaries for youngsters. So when he retired I decided to set up my own club and carry on what he taught me.”

The World Championships take place in Albir from October 21-28 and so far 10 Ace youngsters will be travelled out to compete - including four England Open champions, Rory Mahoney, nine, Damian Turner, 11, Jordan Murchie, 13, and 14-year-old Aleks Jermolovics.

Silver medal winner Ibrahim Abbasi, 13, bronze medallists Callum Barber, eight, Dylan Hall, 13, and David Jermolovics, eight, and Kye Johnston, 10, will all be a part of the travelling party.

So too will Harvey Rigby, who at seven, is the youngest of the medal winners after picking up a silver at the English Open in Rotherham in November.

His mum Leanne Rigby has the task of coordinating the fund-raising activities.

“As you can imagine, this will not come cheap and we have been told to get the children to the World Championships it is going to cost approximately £6000,” she said.

“We have already started fundraising and have numerous events planned such as an 80s Fancy Dress Night at Longshaw Social Club in March, a kickboxing competition at the club (March 26), a race night and bag packing to be confirmed at one of the supermarkets.

“We have recently set up a Just Giving page as well in case anyone wanted to make a donation.”

Leanne was full of praise for the work Paul has done at the club - something she has witnessed first hand since her son joined two years ago.

“Paul spends a lot of his time training children and to make sure that these children attend training and keeping them off the streets,” she said. “He will pick them up and take them home after, he literally goes above and beyond.

“The club is not in the wealthiest of areas so what Paul and the other coaches do for the youngsters is fantastic. That is why we are all working so hard to try and find the funds for the World Championships.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation or help fund the club’s trip should contact Leanne Rigby on 07857 361796.

In the past 12 months students from Ramsey’s Ace Boxing have been competing in various competitions, in which 10 students have qualified to represent England in the World Championships in Albir, Spain 21st - 28th October 2017.