A GRUELLING 24-hour sparring session will take place this weekend in memory of a teenager who tragically lost his life 11 years ago.

‘The Unit Martial Arts Club’ will be battling it out for charity at their gym in the Old Creamery, Rhydymain, this weekend, starting at 11am on Saturday and taking it in turns to fight it out in a controlled fashion until 11am the next day.

The club hopes to raise hundreds of pounds in memory of keen sportsman David Smithies who was killed in a car accident in 2006 after his car hit a tree on the road between Tywyn and Dolgellau, where he lived.

Since his death, thousands of pounds have been raised in David’s name and passed on to various charities.

The club’s owner, Dave Hughes is a close friend of the Smithies family and David’s twin sister Sarah is also a member of the fighting group.

“We are a group at The Unit Martial Arts Club who will take part in sparring for 24 hours,” Dave explained.

“Fighters and martial arts enthusiast from all over Wales and beyond will be taking part in this long and tiring challenge to raise money to go towards the David Smithies charity total.

“David was, as all local people know, a young man taken away far too soon.

“Please dig deep and many thanks for your donations. Anyone is welcome to come to the club during the course of the event or they can donate via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Sparathon.”