By Emylie Howie
A Renfrewshire personal trainer has set up free self-defence classes to help mums and daughters. When Katrina Craig heard about a terrible unprovoked attack on a young girl in Erskine, she was 鈥渟hocked鈥 that such a thing could happen in her home town. Motivated to do something and show that the community cared, Katrina decided to set up free self-defence classes for women to be equipped in challenging situations. Based at Reaper Grappling martial arts gym in Linwood, Katrina is a trained mental health and exercise coach, a yoga teacher and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The day after the disgusting attack on 13-year-old Hope Lyden from Clydebank Katrina set up a social media account entitled 鈥楽avage and Safe Scotland鈥 to see if there would be any interest in attending a free self-defence session. Hope had arranged to meet a friend at Erskine鈥檚 Boden Boo beauty spot when she was ambushed by a group of girls unknown to her. The young girl was reportedly hit on the head from behind, causing her to fall unconscious. She was then subjected to multiple blows and kicks before her body was dragged across a field by the alleged assailants. Katrina, who now lives in Johnstone, said: 鈥淟ike everyone, I was appalled and couldn鈥檛 believe that young girls would do such a thing. 鈥淚 wanted to show that people in the community really do care that these things are happening. The response was overwhelming and more than 80 people registered to take part in the first class. 鈥淚n my experience, boys don鈥檛 think twice about participating in sport but there鈥檚 a lot more anxiety around girls taking the first step. 鈥淚 wanted to create a welcoming and safe space where mums could enjoy time with their daughters, and it鈥檚 been great. We鈥檝e formed our own wee community.鈥 The hour-long classes take place each Saturday at 1pm and a new block of six weeks is due to start shortly. Katrina, who is helped by her husband Cameron 鈥 also a coach 鈥 and gym owner Chris Doran added: 鈥淚 love coaching and it鈥檚 great to see everyone鈥檚 confidence increase. 鈥淲e practise lots of potential situations, like if someone attacks you from behind or if someone tries to choke you. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 mind giving up my time and I鈥檇 like to set up a social enterprise eventually so that we can perhaps fund back into the project as people have been keen to pay. 鈥淚鈥檝e also been in touch with schools to see if I can help there. It鈥檚 awful that we have to think this way but it鈥檚 so much better to be prepared and, wherever possible, always avoid conflict.鈥 For further details on the free classes, contact Katrina via katrinamfcraig@gmail.com Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines 鈥 you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here