Family Kickboxing members raised funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation this weekend with their first-ever Spar-a-Thon.
Club members spared continuously against each other for three hours on Saturday, from noon until 3 p.m.
The goal of the fundraiser was to raise $5,000, said Family Kickboxing owner Ray Blais, but the numbers will not be known until Monday.
About 20 to 25 club members raised money and approximately 12
of them participated in the Spar-a-Thon.
"We chose Heart and Stroke because, you know, heart and lungs; that's what it (kick-boxing) is all about," said Blais. "This will be an annual event."
Most members did 30 rounds during the fundraiser, including Amy Richard, who has been attending the club for just over a year.
"My family has been affected by heart disease," she said. "I figured, raise some money for the heart and stroke and try some sparring out. I haven't done it in a while."
Only about 10 per cent of the club spars, said Blais. Kick-boxing does not need to be a competitive sport. It can also be an effective method of getting into shape.
"I like it kick-boxing," said Richard. "It's a hard workout, but a good workout."
Family Kickboxing is located at 570 Notre Dame Ave. and offers classes at a variety of levels and times, from Monday to Friday. It caters strictly to kick-boxing. Potential members can try out classes at no charge for two weeks.
For information on class times, fees and more, visit www.familykickboxing.homestead.com .
