A FIGHT night fundraising for Barry Island soldier Dale Leach and Help For Heroes saw karate members display their expertise at a Barry club in December..

The Rising Sun Kyokushin Karate Club marked the opening of the Samurai Martial Arts Centre - a full time Dojo and Weights gym based at The Savoy in Barry - with a public display of skill designed to raise funds for some worthy causes.

Twenty-three-year-old Dale, who was badly injured and lost his leg in Afghanistan in June, and his dad Lincoln, attended as guests with Dale back in the town before returning to Headley Court in Surrey to continue with his rehabilitation.

Barry born brothers Lee and Spencer Bennett, who have been studying the discipline of Kyokushin for many years, said the launch of the new facility was an ideal opportunity in which to raise money for charity.

Competitors from Newport Kyokushin took on the Rising Sun team with junior and senior club members raising personal sponsorship for taking part in a ten-man Kumite.

Junior, Kai Hockey led the way raising more than £200.

Spencer Bennett told The Barry & District News: "With anything physical you can train and condition your body, be it competing in a tournament or going to war.

"You are given all the equipment and techniques to prepare yourself for what lies ahead but there is one thing you can never prepare for no matter how hard you train and that is injury.

"These men and women are going to war knowing they may not come home, or when they do their lives may be changed forever by tragedy, in Dales case the loss of a limb.

"It will take months, possibly years to adjust to the change he has to live with forever and we must do what we can to help him in this transition.

"We should keep this in the front of our mind and do our best to show our support to the men and women fighting everyday to keep our country safe."

The club would like to thank those who supported the event including Admiral Insurance, JPL Sound, M Camilleri roofing, and Chris Bullen and Superstars In The Making.