Organised through the Kombat Academy the mums donated grocery food vouchers redeemable through supermarkets to Carrie’s Place.

These $20 and $50 vouchers stacked up to a significant $360.

“Mother’s Day can be a hard time for women in Carrie’s Place,” Combat Academy owner Bill Johnson said.

“This is the second year we have organised this and the vibe was really good.”

The session was an extension of the popular Mums on Mats program that tailors martial arts for women and their self defence.

“The ladies can be a little worried coming to these classes normally,” Mr Johnson said.

“It was a nice bonding session for mums and their children.”

Mr Johnson has studied many Martial Arts and several Close Quarters Combat Systems. 

He is the Australian representative for Canadian Law Enforcement legend Bill Wolfe’s Defendo System, a reality based system of fighting used by the military.

Mr Johnson has taught special forces, marines, police and doorman throughout the world.

This includes in the Philippines with police and military, Mexico, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Thailand, England, Canada and the USA. 

Kombat Academy is located at Melbourne Street, East Maitland.

There’s a great sense of satisfaction for the mum’s who watch their children develop self defence skills at Kombat Academy.

The Mums on Mats fundraiser gave some mums a more acute sense of how far their children have come.

“I got stuck into Mums on Mats for Mother’s Day and getting beat up with my daughter [Alyssa],” Thornton’s Karen Murphy said.

“They just made it a really fun day.

“That’s what I love about it here; they’re here for fun while they learn.”

Louth Park’s Michelle Wadwell said she missed out on Mums on Mats but appreciates the skills son Jai has developed.

“The fitness and confidence it has given him are great to see as a mum,” she said.