By Victoria RaiMes

Last updated 13:37, Tuesday, 15 July 2008

CARLISLE’S Heroes cheerleaders are ra-ra-raring to perform their first show this weekend at the Sands Centre.

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On Saturday night the stage will play host to pom pom waving and pyramid-building as the 130-strong team gives a two-hour performance inspired by the films High School Musical and Bring It On.

It comes hot on the heels of a national cheerleading competition, where the Denton Holme-based group, run by mother-daughter duo Shirley and Shirel Crossley, won two awards.

Shirel said: “For our first competition we felt we did extremely well. We won the Senior Stunt Group category and the aged eight to twelve Pee Wee squad came first in a general skills competition.

“We were runners-up in the Senior Co-Ed Routine and the Senior Pom Pom category.

“We are particularly pleased because the Senior Stunt Group achieved the highest score in the whole competition.”

On the back of their success the Heroes were invited to compete at the International Cheerleading Championship, but it clashed with Saturday’s event. “We weren’t willing to give that up as we’ve been practising for months,” said Shirel.

The show includes live singing, dancing, stunts, and pom pom routines.

“It will be fun to watch with lots of spectacular and daring moves.

“We expect to have people on the edge of their seats,” commented Shirel.

All of the proceeds will be donated to Carlisle United football team, Workington Rugby Club and the Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) unit at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The latter is particularly significant to Shirel, who has suffered from hearing problems.

She said: “I have been fighting an ear problem for years. It has affected my balance as well as my hearing so I have found it harder to participate in sports.

“The unit really looked after me and now I hear a lot better. I wanted to give something back to thank them.”

For those inspired by Saturday’s performance, Shirley and Shirel are organising cheerleading classes to start in September.

Shirel said: “We are soon moving from Atlas Works to Morton School’s Sports Academy so we will have a lot more space.

“We hope the show will encourage males and females to get involved. It is a sport that will keep you fit while you have a lot of fun.”

Tickets available from the Sands Centre on 01228 625222. Show starts at 7pm.