MEMBERS of a Kidderminster karate club who have raised more than £33,000 for various charities are this year supporting the Little Princess Trust.

Young Gloves Karate aims to raise £5,000 for the charity, which supplies real-hair wigs to children who have lost theirs through cancer treatment.

The club, which also has branches in Stourport, Cookley and Stourbridge, raised £1,000 at a summer barbecue, which was held last month.

They are adding to that total after four of the club members, including The Shuttle’s Sport Personality of the Year 2014, Justin Thomas, took part in the Three Peaks Challenge.

The challenge involved the group climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours, which they completed with 15 minutes to spare.

Mr Thomas, who also established the club in 1998, was thankful for the support people gave to the group during their challenge.

“Thank you to those who gave us support along the way,” he said. “Your kind and motivational words were very helpful in completing it.

“Big thanks to everyone who have took such interest and support in this challenge. We are all really proud of each other.”

The club decided to support the Little Princess Trust after a vote was taken from 350 students.

Mr Thomas said: “Each year we have a vote to let the students decide who we should raise money for, with the most popular charity getting our support.

“This year we’re raising money for Little Princess, who do amazing work to help provide wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer, so we’re very happy to be supporting them.

“As well as money, the charity needs real hair, which is at least 17cm in length, to make the wigs.

“To help them out some of the students and the mums have decided to have their heads shaved later in the year to collect hair for the great cause.”

It costs £350 for the charity to supply one wig to one child and members of the club are hoping they can reach their £5,000 target at their annual karate competition, which takes place in November.

Mr Thomas added: “Hopefully, we can help the charity out massively, as £5,000 should supply lots of wigs to many children.”