NEWS RELEASE from RNID

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release: Monday 12 May 2008

MARTIAL ARTIST KICKSTARTS FUNDRAISING FOR RNID GREAT WALL OF CHINA TREK

A 54-year-old martial arts practitioner from Buckinghamshire is as pleased as Punch to be kicking off his Great Wall of China trek fundraising efforts to help RNID change the world for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Mervyn Cooke, who helps run the KASKA Shotokan training centre or ‘dojo’ in High Wycombe, is hoping his once-in-a-lifetime trek in October raises more than £2,500 for the national charity.

Mervyn, who has a long-held fascination and appreciation of Chinese culture, said: “I’ve been practising martial arts for the last 12 years and currently striving to qualify as a second Dan in Shotokan karate. I’ve also been teaching myself the Mandarin language during the last year so I’m really looking forward to experiencing the unique, alluring culture and exploring the Great Wall of China in the hills around Beijing.

Caroline Jupe, RNID Events & Community Fundraising Manager, said: “Mervyn’s positive attitude is a real inspiration and we’re delighted someone with such passion for Chinese culture has chosen to raise vital funds for RNID’s work changing the world for the UK’s 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people.”

To sponsor Mervyn, visit www.justgiving.com/mervyncooke

Money raised by Mervyn and others trekking for RNID will help fund projects and services that improve the everyday lives of deaf and hard of hearing people.

If you’ve been inspired by Mervyn’s story, you can find out about RNID’s overseas challenges by visiting http://www.rnid.org.uk/ or contacting Caroline Jupe on telephone / textphone: 0845 634 0687 (local rate) or email: events@rnid.org.uk

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Contact for media enquiries:

Alan Dalziel, RNID Media Officer, alan.dalziel@rnid.org.uk or 020 7296 8388

Notes for editors:

Jpeg images of Mervyn Cooke are available. Please call 07828 422156.
RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the UK's nine million deaf and hard of hearing people. We do this with the help of our members by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.
For further information about RNID or to become a member, visit www.rnid.org.uk, contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email informationline@rnid.org.uk.