Tyneside Ignite Cheerleading, based at Perth Green Community Association on Inverness Road, Jarrow, helped shoppers at Tesco in Towers Place, Simonside, pack their bags to raise funds to send the team to next year’s international competition.
The cheering team managed to raise £641.44 in two days at the supermarket.
The Under 17 team, made up of 11-16 year olds, hope to travel to the Future Cheer International in Barcelona in June 2023, where they will compete in the first U17 category against other teams across Europe.
Founded in 2017, the club hopes to one day reach the Cheerleading Summit Championships, held annually in Florida, where some of the best teams in the world compete against each other.
But before they get a chance to lead the country, the team must first show they can compete with Europe’s best.
Tyneside Ignite Cheerleading needs to raise around £5,000 to help pay for flights, merchandise and entry fees for the 15 athletes and their families to the event. So far the club has raised £641.44.
The club’s director and head coach, Jo Burrows, said: “The athletes in this team train at least four times a week, most of them five or six, some of them also coach the juniors at the club, so cheerleading is a big part of their lives and the lives of their families .
“Just being a part of this journey is something we’re all very proud of, but the idea that earning a bid to the Summit Championships is now a realistic goal for us is something that’s so exciting for these athletes and our entire club.”
The club has 140 competitors, with five competitive teams and recreation.
The club, which operates on a non-profit basis, is always looking for new ways to raise funds to continue growing and improving the facilities for its athletes.
Any individuals or businesses wishing to donate or sponsor a team can do so by emailing Jo at [email protected]
