A GROUP of martial art students from Darwen have drawn in the crowds at charity events across the country, helping to raise £100,000 for good causes.

The Darwen School of Kung Fu has volunteered its services at various events throughout the last 12 months in a bid to help fundraisers attract more visitors to their fetes and fairs.

Both the Lion Dance Team and a group of members demonstrating martial arts have appeared at the functions which have made money for community groups, charities and hospitals.

They also raised around £4,500 themselves earlier this year for the Chorley-based Derian House hospice when the school organised its own sponsored walk from Blackburn along the canal bank.

Chief instructor Ray Heeks said: "They have worked really hard this year and £100,000 is quite an achievement for a small martial arts school. We haven't done it all ourselves but we have helped to bring in the crowds at fetes and fairs and some of the events where we have given demonstrations have raised more than £45,000, like the fundraiser Derian House held earlier this year.

"I am really proud that our members have taken part in so many fundraising events all over the country. It's nice to know we have done our bit and it was a culmination of everyone working together."

To reward the efforts of all the children who are involved in the school of kung fu, based at Sudellside Community Centre and Central United Reformed Church, there will be a special children's party and awards event on Thursday, December 18.

Presentations will be made to the youngsters with the best attendances and to the most promising pupils.

During the past two weeks, the club has been holding its six-monthly gradings for students to assess how they have improved.

Ron Cunliffe, the school's funding instructor, awarded the grades and the school now has two new senior black belts, Gareth Galloway and Simon Foster, and three new junior black belts, Michelle Rowell, Jennifer Mee and Lee Crosbie.