Summer Fundraiser

Kingdom Wrestling Launches Urgent £3,000 Summer Survival Campaign to Protect Youth Services

SHIPLEY, UK — July 16, 2026 — Kingdom Wrestling, the UK’s first faith-based pro wrestling charity and recently crowned UK 2026 Company of the Year in Sports Entertainment, has today launched an urgent summer fundraising campaign. The registered charity (No. 1206156) aims to raise £3,000 to keep its vital community doors open as it navigates a critical funding gap caused by the summer pause in its local school partnerships.

Without these school contracts—which include essential alternative provision and youth development work alongside Bradford AP Academy, One In A Million, and Shipley College—the charity risks a severe seasonal deficit. This shortfall directly threatens their ability to provide safe, structured, and affordable training for local youth during the high-risk summer months.

A Precarious Climate for Grassroots Charities

Kingdom Wrestling’s struggle highlights a wider national crisis. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Foundation’s recent report on small charities, “Underfunded and Overlooked,” warns that small, local charities with proven track records are increasingly left in a "precarious position". The CSJ report notes that of the hundreds of charities forced to close in recent years, the vast majority (nearly 98%) are small grassroots organizations with incomes under £1 million.

Despite delivering highly effective, innovative, and deeply trusted frontline services, small charities are frequently squeezed out of larger funding streams—forcing organizations like Kingdom Wrestling to rely on direct community support to survive.

Proving Local Impact: Keighley Library "Read-a-Slam" Success

The critical value of Kingdom Wrestling’s unique community work was on full display on Saturday, July 11th, at Keighley Library. The charity hosted its first-ever "Read-a-Slam" event, an innovative show that brought the unlikely worlds of professional wrestling and children's literature together.

The event drew an energetic crowd of over 200 local children and families. Kingdom Wrestling's "booksmart brawlers" acted out iconic children's stories inside a wrestling ring temporarily built inside the historic library, bringing narratives to life. The event was a major success, boosting library memberships and driving sign-ups for the Summer Reading Challenge, demonstrating how the charity uses sports entertainment as a powerful hook to build youth confidence and literacy.

High-Stakes Live Events to Support the Cause

To jumpstart fundraising efforts and continue showcasing the direct impact of their work, Kingdom Wrestling is hosting two major live-action events this summer:

King of Kings: Taking place at St Peter's Church in Shipley on Friday, July 24th, featuring top-tier athletic showcases.

Courtyard Clash: Slated for Darley Street Market on Saturday, August 8th, bringing high-energy outdoor entertainment.

Real Success Stories: The Launch of 'Ascension'

The upcoming summer shows will highlight the charity's core mission by introducing graduates from its brand-new pre-show series, Ascension. This dedicated battleground allows elite trainees from the Kingdom Wrestling Academy to transition from training to the main stage.

Media outlets are invited to cover these debutants, who have used sports entertainment to build confidence, discipline, and teamwork. Fans can also catch up on previous trainee journeys via Kingdom Wrestling's newly announced back-catalog streaming deal with Hooked On Wrestling.

Business Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Kingdom Wrestling is actively seeking partnerships with local and national businesses to help bridge the £3,000 gap. Corporate sponsors can align with a verified award-winning charity and access high-visibility packages, including:

Ring mat branding seen by hundreds of live fans and digital audiences.

Program advertising and dedicated social media campaigns.

Match sponsorship, allowing business owners to present championships inside the ring.

How to Help

Donations can be made directly through the charity’s official online fundraising platform by visiting the Donate section on their website. Tickets for both King of Kings and Courtyard Clash are available to purchase directly through the Kingdom Wrestling website. All proceeds go directly toward the £3,000 survival target.