MMA fundraiser for SSAFA Wales will be a knockout

Saturday, June 8 will see a special fundraising event for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

A “white-collar” Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event will take place for up to 20 people – male and female – in aid of the UK’s oldest tri-service charity.

The event is being organised by Carmarthenshire residents Lara Oldfield (35) and Mike James (40), who are event promoters. Mike also coaches MMA through Legion Combat West Wales as well as supporting fighters through their whole fighting process.

Mike has been in MMA for more than 10 years and his experience goes from training tocornering to managing fighters. He and friend an MMA fighter Jonny Mills Jr set up Legion Combat West Wales, an all-inclusive MMA club where everyone is welcome. Lara, though not an MMA participant, enjoys watching and dealing with the business and events side of the business.

Both Lara and Mike have an extensive military connections, including on Lara’s side members of the Corps of Royal Engineers and other regiments, while Mike’s side goes back generations and includes all three services of the Armed Forces.

Lara says: “This event is open to men and women who are interested in learning MMA. You don’t need any experience, you’ll receive a free fight camp filled with training from MMA fighters, personal trainers, and people who have experience in boxing and other combat sports, all training will be in the local area and will include fighter and trainer challenges.”

She added that this preparation will build up to a fairly matched fight at the event at the Princess Gwenllian Centre in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire.

Explaining their reasons for hosting a fundraiser for SSAFA, Lara puts it succinctly, saying: “We’ve chosen SSAFA because we’ve seen the support – firsthand – it offers veterans, serving personnel, and their families, and with such a strong military backgrounds, we just knew it was right to support the people who put our country before themselves.“

SSAFA has supported the Armed Forces, and their families, since 1885. Its work – with veterans of long-forgotten conflicts and for men and women serving now – is as important during peacetime as during war.

Spaces are limited, so to get involved or for tickets and sponsorship opportunities in this unique fundraiser for SSAFA, visit @24kfightchampionship on Facebook.

Doors open at 5pm with the event beginning at 6pm on Saturday, June 8 at the Princess Gwenllian Centre, Hillfield Villas, Kidwelly, SA17 4UL.