Kidderminster's Young Gloves raise £7k for Smile for Joel

The Smile For Joel charity was set up by Suzy Evans after the tragic death of her son Joel Richards, her father Patrick Evans, and brother Adrian Evans, who were killed with 35 others on holiday in 2015.

The charity works alongside victim support, helping other families cope with the devastation of losing a family member through murder.

The cause is close the heart of Young Gloves Karate owner Justin Thomas and his daughter Samantha, a club instructor and school teacher, who was friends with Joel.

Joel Richards, from Wednesbury, was a physical education and sports coaching science student at Worcester University. He was just 19 when he died in the terror attack at the tourist resort of Port El Kantaoui in Tunisia.

Joel was Samantha's dance and gymnastics partner at university.

Joel Richards and Samantha Thomas

A series of events in honour of Joel were organised by the karate club, including raffles, weekly quizzes, self-protection courses, boxercise sessions, and sponsored walks.

Justin Thomas and Samantha also ran the length of the country, from John O’ Groat’s to Lands' End virtually.

They have raised a total of £7035 - the largest charity pot raised by the club to date.

Head instructor Justin Thomas said: “Samantha was very close with Joel and was devastated when we lost him. Words cannot express how she felt.

"Although Sam and I are regular supporters of Smile for Joel in various events, we felt it wasn't enough, and the time was right to honour Joel the best way we could.

"What we have done is nowhere near good enough in respect of what we have lost, but by organising these events, children have the opportunity to reflect on these tragic events and appreciate the opportunity to make a little difference in the world that they live in."