Media release

15 February 2017

Self-defence course donates full fees to Women’s Refuge

A Wellington selfdefence instructor is launching a course aimed at combating the rise in public and domestic violence, with all the proceeds being donated to the Wellington Women’s Refuge.

The course’s instructor, Darren Luke, said he was inspired to launch the initiative after learning of the increase in reports of public assaults and domestic violence, and from experiencing it firsthand.

“I lived through a bit of turbulence at home growing up. More recently, after learning about the link between domestic violence and lowincome backgrounds I thought, ‘there must be something I can do to help’ and the idea grew from there.”

The Wellington Women’s Refuge will be the recipient of all of the course’s fees, which are run on a donation basis at a minimum of $100 for the eightweek course. The materials, location, and instructors are all provided for free on a volunteer basis.

“I’ve been lucky to find likeminded

Wellingtonians who were keen to give their own time and resources to help bring this idea to life. It will make it infinitely easier for us to connect with more people in the capital who may need our help,” Mr Luke said.

Course participants can expect to learn about defence against physical and weapon attacks, and experience a boost in overall selfconfidence, which Mr Luke says “is the first step in taking back control.”

Jo Cattermole of Wellington Women’s Refuge said the charity was “extremely impressed and enthusiastic” about the selfdefence course. “We work with women in our community to help empower them, and to seek help if they need it. Learning selfdefence can result in a significant lift in selfesteem and confidence and that’s huge in our books,” she said.

Mr Luke is one of only four qualified Krav Maga instructors in New Zealand qualified under the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF). He owns and operates Café Refuel at Wellington gym Les Mills, runs a catering business and is a qualified personal trainer.

Mr Luke is holding a free introductory workshop on February Saturday 25 at 1:00pm at Urban Fitness, with the 8week course to begin later this year.

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Workshop event page : https://www.facebook.com/events/188440601634181/

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