Young Gloves Karate founder Justin Thomas got his British Empire Medal from the Lord-Lieutenant on 30 October, after 27 years and £90,000 for charity.
Justin Thomas, who founded Young Gloves Karate in 1999, has been presented with his British Empire Medal by Mrs Beatrice Grant, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire. The presentation took place on Friday 30 October 2026. The honour was announced in the 2026 New Year Honours List for services to the community.
Young Gloves Karate is a family-run club that has taught martial arts and Boxercise across the Wyre Forest area since 1999, according to its website. Over 27 years, the club says, Justin and his team have taught more than 5,000 people, and it has raised more than £90,000 for charity. It wants to reach £100,000 by the end of 2027.
“I’m incredibly proud and humbled to receive this honour, but I see it as recognition of what so many people have achieved together over the years,” Justin said.
More than karate
The club’s work goes well beyond lessons, it says. Over the years Young Gloves has run anti-bullying education, anti-knife crime awareness, self-defence workshops for women, first aid training and disability karate sessions. It has also supported people affected by alcohol addiction and mental health difficulties.
The club says it has welcomed blind and visually impaired members, supported people with a range of disabilities and worked with community organisations to make its activities open to people who might otherwise miss out. The team has also visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital to spend time with young patients. During the Covid pandemic it ran online events to keep members in touch while face-to-face contact was restricted.
“When we started Young Gloves Karate in 1999, the aim was to give people opportunities to learn, grow in confidence and become the best versions of themselves,” Justin said. “Karate is a great vehicle for that, but the real value is in the people, the friendships, the support and the sense of belonging that can develop along the way.
“Over the years, I’ve tried to help wherever I can, whether that’s supporting someone through a difficult time, helping people with disabilities take part, providing self-defence sessions, tackling bullying and knife crime, supporting mental health, raising money for charity or simply bringing people together when they need it most.
“During Covid, keeping people connected through online events was particularly important. Sometimes, making a difference isn’t about doing something huge; it’s about helping somebody feel included, supported and valued.”
£90,000 raised, every penny to charity
The club says every penny it raises goes directly to charity, and that members have a say in which local and national organisations benefit. Justin has taken on half marathons, a run the length of the country, the Three Peaks Challenge and sponsored cycle rides to add to the total. His view, the club says, is that making a difference means putting the effort in yourself rather than simply asking others to give.
In 2013 he helped organise a Guinness World Records attempt in which 214 students performed a karate kata together. It raised more than £5,000 for Worcestershire Deaf Children’s Society.
“Raising more than £90,000 for charity is something we’re really proud of, and we’d love to reach £100,000 by the end of 2027,” Justin said. “But just as important is the difference we can make to people’s lives along the way.”
24 medals for the squad in France
Justin reached his 6th Dan in Wado Ryu karate in 2025 and has competed at national level. In 2026, six club members represented England at the ICO World Championships in France and came home with 24 medals: 13 gold, seven silver and four bronze. England finished second in the overall medal table, behind the USA. The club says Justin is as proud of the squad’s character as its results: humble, grounded, loyal and respectful.
His community work has been recognised before, with the Worcester Hero Award and the Kidderminster Shuttle Sports Person Award in 2015, Hero of Worcestershire in 2018, Wyre Forest Sports Club of the Year in 2019 and the Mayor’s Achiever Award in 2021. This year he was also invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some wonderful people, and none of this happens alone,” Justin said. “I’m grateful to our instructors, students, families, volunteers, community partners and everyone who has supported us over the years.
“To receive the BEM is a tremendous honour. I’ll keep doing what I’ve always tried to do by helping people, opening doors and making a positive difference wherever I can.”
What it means for you
Young Gloves Karate says it takes children from the age of four through to adults in their 70s, and welcomes complete beginners. It also runs a Boxercise class at Franche School on Wednesday evenings from 8pm to 9pm. Class venues, times and a free trial are on the club’s website, and the club posts news in its Facebook group.
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