Rory’s Orlando-bound thanks to site teams

September 1, 2017

Staff fund-raising across Bateman Groundworks collected £1000 to help a colleague’s son achieve his dream of competing in his sport’s world championships in Florida.

Rory Lark, the 30-year-old son of Eddie Lark, who works at the Silfield Road, Wymondham, site, suffered a serious head injury aged five, which led to a long stay and treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Left with moderate learning difficulties and physical disabilities on his left side, he discovered a passion for martial arts in his teens, achieving a black belt in jujitsu and later discovering Krav Maga, which combines techniques from boxing, wrestling, aikido, judo and realistic fight training.

Rory qualified for the World Martial Arts Championships in Orlando, Florida, in September at a competition held at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, to compete in three categories – Point Sparing, Kata and Weapons, using Nunchaku and Tonfa.

But to take up his place, he needed to raise £2500 for the flights and accommodation.

Eddie asked his site manager Paul Marsland if he could ask for sponsorship from workmates. Paul said: “I thought we could do more to help so I sent it round to other sites where Eddie had worked before.

“We got a really good response. The guys tend to go deeper in their pockets when it is for someone they know.”

More than £350 was raised among the 26-strong joint team at the Bovis Homes and Taylor Wimpey sites at Silfield Road, Wymondham. In total, site and office staff raised more than £700, which the Company topped up to £1000.

Rory, who trains with five-times world champion and 5th Dan, Steven Webster, at his East Coast Black Belt Academy, will travel to the Wyndham Orlando Resort for the world championships. He trains with Team GB every month.