The Fairfield Fencing Academy held a tournament fundraiser to help support the Bridgeport Central High School fencing team this past weekend.

Funding was cut from Bridgeport Central High School’s fencing team two years ago, after which they’ve had to fund the program on their own.

The Charter Oak Charity Fencing Tournament is a national event that draws hundreds of fencers.

They donate 100 percent of the proceeds to Bridgeport Central High School’s team.

Bridgeport coach Paul Decerbo said, "It means everything. It's frankly the capability of keeping the Central High School fencing team alive. There's sometimes 40 to 50 kids that are on the fencing team and without a team, they'd have nothing."

Last year, the event raised about $7,000.