More than 38 people turned out for Hayden Knight's last class at Safari MMA in Milton Keynes, the charity gym Knight joined young and went on to coach at.

More than 38 people came to Hayden Knight’s last class at Safari MMA, the Milton Keynes martial arts gym where Hayden has trained for more than ten years and coached for the past one.

Hayden, 22, has now taken a final session at the gym, which operates as a charity according to Hayden, before moving on to new opportunities. People from across the gym and the wider community came along to take part, and Hayden sent MK Daily a photograph of the group lined up on the mats afterwards.

From member to coach

Hayden joined Safari MMA as a young person and stayed. Over the last year Hayden has taught classes for children, youth and adults there.

“Safari MMA operates as a charity, providing martial arts classes and opportunities for children and members of the local community,” Hayden told us. “The gym has played a significant role in my life, and being able to give back by helping teach the next generation has been something I have particularly valued.”

The last session

On the final class, Hayden wrote: “More than 38 people from across the gym and wider community came along to take part and show their support, making the evening a particularly meaningful way to bring my time at the gym to a close.”

Hayden got in touch to tell Milton Keynes what the gym does, rather than to make the piece about one coach.

“Having joined the gym as a young person myself and later becoming a coach, I feel this is a story that demonstrates the positive impact that community sports organisations can have on young people,” Hayden said, “providing a place to train, develop confidence, build friendships and become part of a community.

“I would simply like to share this story with the people of Milton Keynes and highlight what Safari MMA means to the local community.”

Got news from a Milton Keynes club, school or charity? Send it to us.