Billy Murray a Belfast former world kickboxing champion now head coach at the ProKick gym in east Belfast pictured here with long-time friend Mr Serge Beslin who is the director of Villars tourism. Mr Beslin has visited Murray's events in Belfast and L/derry and at one time was looking to invest there. Both men are are sporting the t/shirt 'Backing east Belfast' campaign.

The trip was the result of weeks of fundraising by the children and their families to help make the dream of heading abroad a reality.

“It has been a brilliant thing to witness,” said ProKick head coach Billy Murray. “For many of these kids – all of whom are aged between 6-15 years old – this was their first time on a plane and their first trip abroad. They were selected on merit to perform at the event in Switzerland and it was down to the dedication of the children and their families that we were able to take so many of them to the centre of Europe, Switzerland . The sport receives no funding in Northern Ireland unlike in other European countries and the only way to give these children such a wonderful opportunity was to work hard and raise the funds ourselves.”

Murray added: “The development of kids from both sides of the divide is a cornerstone of Prokick. They have fun and they get fit. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to have headed to a major international event, but also to see something of the world and soak up other cultures. It is a thrill for them. I just wish we could have taken all our junior members!”


A big thanks to  Carl Emery and Mr Serge Beslin for all their help in organising this weekends event.