THREE gym owners in Hampshire held jiu-jitsu seminars during September that people attended by paying in items of food to be donated to local foodbanks. 

Chris Duncan-Smith, owner and head coach at Xion Gym in Andover, decided that he wanted to help the Andover Foodbank after it was brought to his attention the difficult time that foodbanks are currently facing at the moment. 

An idea intially created by his partner, led to Chris teaming up with three other gyms and their owners to hold jiu-jitsu seminars at each other's gyms, so not only did their students receive beneficial training from a different coach for free but all of the proceeds benefitted foodbanks in various areas, including Andover Foodbank, Basingstoke Foodbank and Salisbury Foodbank. 

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Tarik Bilgic, owner of Urso Jiu Jitsu in Basingstoke, held a seminar at Chris's gym in Andover and so did Aiden Mundy, owner of Kings Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Salisbury, on a seperate occasion. 

Then in return, Chris held a jiu-jitsu seminar at both Tarik and Aiden's gym. 

Instead of paying for the seminars people were required to bring one item along that the foodbanks were most in need of. These items were primarily sanitary products for women and tinned or canned food. 

Chris said: "It's a nice feeling doing nice things for others and we hope to work together to do this again next year in support of the food banks."