Hello from Westerleigh…
The warmest hello and best wishes to all our members and your families. Westerleigh is hoping that everyone is keeping safe and well at home where possible during this difficult time with the outbreak of COVID-19. For those of you that are key-workers and still out supporting our community, risking your health, thank you so much, we couldn’t beat this without you.

Closing the club was a sad day for us, as you know we are open 50 weeks of the year and dedicated to providing you with the best Judo Club. However, during such an uncertain time, it was a necessary step for not only us but so many clubs and businesses, to help protect the health of you and your families. Although the Club is closed we are busy behind the scenes, working on exciting plans for the Club, trying to secure a new mat area for you and planning a 25th Celebration for when this crazy time is over and we can all be back together again – so please, don’t forget about us! (We have had to cancel our current plan for our 25th Celebration so if you have any ideas you would like to share, please email westerleighjudo@hotmail.co.uk with your suggestions.)

Westerleigh has also launched a ‘Bags of Kindness’ Campaign. We know that most people will be affected by the current situation, but we feel it is important to all pull together. We are asking for members to donate their weekly £3 subs to a crowdfunding page as we have launched an appeal to keep our NHS workers and Ambulance staff stocked up on essential supplies. The club is putting together ‘supply packs’ of tea, coffee and goodies which will be responsibly delivered to the Conquest Hospital to show our support and appreciation to the staff. Staff usually pay for their items and this small gesture might just help show them that we do appreciate all their hard work and support, especially during this unsettled time when we need them the most. We feel it is important to all pull together and this is a good way to keep up morale and community spirit in what is an uncertain and worrying time. If you haven’t donated already, any support that you can give would be really appreciated, let's help keep our NHS staff going! https://bit.ly/3dHEjQe

Special good luck to Donna and Zena, both Health Visitors, who have been redeployed to A&E following the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are feeling a bit down and need a pick me up, pop over to our Facebook page. Paula and Larry are posting a selection of photos from over the last 25 years at the club over the next few days and weeks! If you don’t already follow us, join the fun with Westerleigh Judokwai.

If you are isolating or unable to leave your home at the moment and need anything please email westerleighjudo@hotmail.co.uk or message or call Paula 07926578027 and we will do our best to help and get you what you need.

We would love to hear what you are all up to at home and what activities you are doing to help pass the time. Please tag us in photos and updates on Facebook and/or email Sarah at westerleighjudo@hotmail.co.uk and we will add what we can into our next update to you. We would also love to hear any suggestions of social ideas we could plan, such as a quiz, that you might be interested in taking part in!

Best wishes and good health to you all, we can’t wait to see you all again and are missing our Club so much!

Westerleigh Judokwai