PRIDE of Bracknell's Sporting Champion has helped children gain confidence while raising £19,000 - and all in his spare time.

Science teacher Daniel Rose, 31, spends his evenings running Silwood Park Karate Club, even devising special target packs to help children's self-esteem and discipline in karate by setting them challenges to help their families at home.

Daniel, who teaches at Theale Green school in Reading, and was nominated by his wife Gillian, said: "It is really nice for all the members of the club as well to be recognised and Gillian, who does so much work for it.

He is a third dan and said: "I watched the Karate Kid when I was about nine but I carried on going just because of the values of karate, which we try to teach the children. It has never really been about the competition - for us it is about discipline, determination and confidence.

"We are not after the most fantastic, able students, what we are after is that every child makes progress. That is more important than producing world champions." Gillian, 29, a lecturer in crops and climate change at Reading University, said: "He puts in so much time and effort with the kids. In the evenings he makes up target packs for kids and tries to think of ways to help them." Daniel received his Sporting Hero award from the category sponsor, John Nike OBE.

The couple from Priestwood have held fundraisers to make £19,000 for charities including Sebastian's Action Trust.

They teach children as young as four and adults at the karate club at Great Hollands Primary School in Wordsworth on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Contact 01344 440328.