TWO Jiu-Jitsu masters from Bradford are hoping they can take on a brain injury as well as their opponents in a 12 hour grapple-athon for baby Quinn.
Meg Flaherty and Josh Taylor, owners of Origin Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, are backing one-year-old Quinn Nita who was born with a brain injury and now needs expensive stem cell therapy.
Meg, who is related to Quinn through her extended family, said the baby has “defied all odds so far” by achieving things doctors thought was impossible.
Her parents recently used £50,000 worth of donations to afford stem cell treatment in the USA.
Meg said: “She has had millions of stem cells put into her body and is already making incredible progress.
“She depends on stem cell treatment and alternative therapies for a fuller, happier life.
“These treatments are so expensive and are only available in certain parts of the world, meaning travel costs as well.
“We decided a 12 hour grapple-athon would be a great idea to raise money, as the practitioners at Origin are so compassionate and ultimately love Jiu-Jitsu, so we knew the two together would create a successful event.”
The couple is inviting other Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to the grapple-athon which means a close fight, struggle without weapons or to wrestle.
Jiu-Jitsu, which translates from Japanese as “the gentle art”, is a grappling based martial art that was created in Japan and later developed in Brazil.
Guiseley-born Josh said: “Jiu-Jitsu utilises leverage-based techniques which allow the user to control their opponent until their opponent exhausts and then the user can apply a submission hold to end the exchange.
“It teaches you that brute force and aggression are not the only ways you can tackle a situation and this encourages practitioners to develop their skill and finesse so that they can calmly and efficiently protect themselves.
“All levels can participate – beginners to advanced, adults and kids. All are welcome to join in.”
The Jiu-Jitsu training centre, based in Unit 5 of Lister Hills Science Park, has a £1,000 goal for “inspiring” Quinn.
Meg said: “People have done marathons, bike rides, danceathons and now we want to get involved and bring Jiu-Jitsu to the table, as every Jiu-Jitsu practitioner knows this art is deeply passionate about helping people.
“We want to raise as much money as possible for Quinn and believe that we can really make a difference with the money we can raise.
“100% of all donations go to The Mighty Quinn’s Therapy Fund.”
The 12 hour grapple-athon will run from 8am-8pm on Saturday, August 24.
To participate, it costs £5 per person and participants will be given their own sponsorship form. People can also donate via Just Giving.
