RKC invites Sandton to #HelpSendRayAway
RKC needs Sandton’s assistance to send Ray Sensei to Switzerland for his sixth-dan kendo grading exam.
The Rivonia Kendo Club (RKC) have launched a crowdfunding campaign to send fifth dan kendo practitioner, and club member, Raymond Fleming (80) to Switzerland in October.
“We have started this initiative to help Ray sensei achieve his kendo dream of a sixth-dan rank,” RKC head sensei Warren Ho said on April 3. “In October 2024, there will be an opportunity for Ray sensei to fly to Switzerland and join in a two-day high-level kendo seminar and sixth dan grading examination.
“This crowdfunding campaign is to help fund his flight to Switzerland, internal transport, accommodation, food, seminar, exam, and travel insurance costs.”
To date, the RKC dojo has raised about R13 000 – much to the surprise of sensei Ray Fleming, who had no idea that the dojo had gone to these great lengths to help him progress in the sport. The 80-year-old was positively surprised when he learned about the crowdfunding campaign by the dojo on April 6.
“I’ve never had any sponsors. I’ve always paid for myself,” said Fleming who was humbled by the gesture. “It was just a surprise when they gave me the letter this morning to say that they’re trying to help me raise funds to go there.”
Fleming’s career as a martial artist began in the 1950s with judo when he still lived in Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. Fleming also spent two years living in Japan ahead of his relocation to South Africa.
“I did judo for 20 years and got my third dan in the sport but kendo always interested me.”
He began practising kendo a few years after immigrating to South Africa on February 9 in 1974. Fleming was inspired by an article on Buster Sefor, who developed kendo in South Africa.
“He was my teacher. I saw a magazine on kendo in 1978, and I kept the telephone number of Buster Sefor.”
To donate towards the #SendRayAway campaign, RKC invite community members to kindly follow this link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/ray-senseis-6th-dan-kendo-grading.
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