A KARATE expert who once rescued a baby from an inferno has continued his selfless work by running a specialist weapons lesson to raise money for Ukraine.
Alan Gibson, from Peacehaven, was dubbed Iron-Fist Alan in 1993 after he smashed through a double-glazed window with his bare knuckles to save two young children and a baby from a house fire.
Now, the 75-year-old, whose karate school Sama teaches over 12,000 students across the United Kingdom, has once again demonstrated his care for others by donating all proceeds from a recent specialist weapons class to charities helping people in Ukraine.
The event at the Turing School, in Eastbourne, on Saturday, March 19, saw Alan lead approximately 60 black-belt students in Kobudo – a traditional Japanese combat technique using weapons.
The £840 raised in class fees was donated to the charities the British Red Cross and Save The Children, both helping mainly women and children escaping the war in Ukraine.
“I just thought it was a good thing to do,” said Alan.
“It’s not very nice when you’re watching the news and seeing what’s happening, so I just thought I’d donate the money - it’s no bother. I just feel sorry for them.”
In the last 20 years, Alan has raised more than £50,000 for various charities.
Perhaps his most notable moment, however, came when he rescued three children from a house fire in Coldean in 1993. A father was attempting to smash a window and save his children, but was unable to do so using a brick.
Hearing cries of the children from his house 100 yards away, Alan ran to the property, and shattered the glass with his bare hands, allowing them to escape.
Speaking at the time he said: “The kids were shouting ‘Save me’ and ‘Help, and I knew I had to get to them.
“I thought I was on fire. I had a split-second decision, but I was driven.
“It was an inferno. There was a lot of thick black, acrid smoke. It was very scary and so hot I thought I would melt.”
Following the successful rescue of the children, Alan drew international media attention, as well as the County Fire Officer’s commendation.
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