Pensioners taught to use walking stick in self-defence

A grandfather is teaching pensioners to defend themselves by giving them lessons in self defence using a special weapon - the NHS walking stick.

Kevin Garwood, 61, is a triple black belt holder and has developed special "cane work" courses for people over 50 to help them to stand up to yobs and drunks.

The course is based on martial arts from around the world that use the sabre, bayonet and staff, which have been adapted specifically for stick users with limited mobility.



Typical moves include throws, takedowns and 'neck hooks' which use the crook of the stick for locks and strangleholds as well as gentle exercises using the 3ft long canes.

His students, aged 50 to 76, all use an NHS walking stick and list strokes, severe diabetes, heart attacks, triple bypasses and arthritis among their medical complaints.

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