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Please meet Denis and David, champion kickboxers who compete at European and World level. They were recently awarded Postal Family Fund Rising Stars bursaries to support them with their kickboxing expenses. We spoke to their postal worker dad, Viktor about their achievements.
Why did you apply for the Postal Family Fund bursary?
We applied because we were looking for financial assistance to improve my sons’ kickboxing skills and support their career goals. David is 10 years old and started kickboxing when he was 8. Denis is 15 and started kickboxing when he was 12. Both children represent England in their age groups. Kickboxing is an unfunded sport and we have to pay for everything related to it ourselves. This includes training clothes and training fees, equipment, insurance, licenses, grading, competitions and travel and much more. The children’s equipment wears out quickly as they train 5-6 days a week for 2.5-3 hours a day using equipment at each training session and at each competition. The bursary was a great opportunity to ease the financial burden and help us focus on preparing for European and World level competitions.
What impact has the bursary had?
The bursary had a significant impact, allowing us to invest in necessary resources such as a trip to the open European championship that was held in Germany. Denis brought home a Championship belt and silver medal, and David returned with silver and bronze medals. It also paid for expenses for other competitions such as the English championship that was held in February 2025. Again, Denis and David achieved the highest results, they both became champions of England. The bursary has also helped towards the purchase of new equipment, which directly contributed to Denis’s and David’s professional development and winning new titles. For example, in December 2024, the WKO Grand Prix ceremony was held, where David became the World Grand Prix champion in the low kick discipline in kickboxing, and Denis became a two-time World Grand Prix champion in the low kick and contact disciplines in kickboxing. The Rising Star bursary has reduced the financial stress, allowing us to focus more on training and preparing for competitions.
What would you like to say to other postal workers thinking about applying for a Rising Star bursary?
I would definitely recommend it to my colleagues. The support that the Postal Family Fund offers can make a huge difference to children’s ability to advance in their careers, gain new knowledge and demonstrate their achievements. It provides both financial support and support, which is invaluable to those who are looking to grow in their professional field.
