YOUNG judo players will be thinking of others when they take to the mat for a major charity event this month.

Kidderminster's Samurai Judo Club has held an annual competition to support a variety of good causes for the last four years and it is hoped this year's event on Saturday, June 12 will take the total fund-raising effort near to the £3,000 mark.

The first event raised £300 for the then mayor's charities and the following year the club topped £1,000 for Kemp Hospice.

A similar amount went to Riding for the Disabled last year and this year members hope to collect in excess of £500 for the Ray Mercer Sporting Foundation.

The foundation, set up by the Shuttle/Times & News, provides financial support to Wyre Forest's most talented young sportsmen and women.

It has helped several Samurai members, including Kate Walker who has gained international success and has just returned from competing in Russia.

Club coach, Andrew Haffner, said: "We feel it is important for our young players to realise that others may not be so lucky and can use some help.

"Part of our ethos is for the older and more experienced players in the club to look after the younger or newer ones, so this is an extension of the principle.

"Each year we decide on the cause to support and we prefer it to be local, small enough for us to be able to make a difference and ideally involving children."

Club officials felt the sporting foundation fitted the criteria perfectly, and there was an extra connection because Ray Mercer, the former Kidderm-inster Harriers secretary, helped the Samurai club with its publicity in its early years.

The club, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has in the region of 130 members with active players ranging from eight years to 55.

It is the most successful club in Worcestershire judo history, having won dozens of national and international medals. It currently boasts five British squad members.

For details about starting judo or information on the Samurai club, call Tina Gaughan on 01905 452562 or visit the club website on www.samurai.org.uk

The charity event will be held at the club's base in Lisle Avenue, Kiddermin-ster, between 10am and 5pm.