Carlisle cheerleading group fundraising for Florida trip

Cheerforce Knights are a relatively new, but immensely talented group based in Carlisle, who have earned the right to compete in America having won an event in Liverpool earlier this year. 

Around £10,000 is needed to ensure that the young group of girls, who are aged between 9 and 11, can reach Tampa next year, and fundraising efforts are already well underway.

The group plans to fly out on April 22, with a few days of training before the competition begins on April 25

Leanne Forster has organised a GoFundMe page, and with the help of other parents, she is determined to get Cheerforce Knights across the pond, via various fundraising events such as bag packing, a Halloween disco, and raffles.

She said: "It was amazing when they won the bid, that was a really good night for them all at Liverpool Arena because they were selected to go out and compete, which is a very big thing for the cheerleading world.

"Obviously, it does come at a big cost going to America, but this fundraiser is to help the girls and give them a new uniform, merchandise, and little treats to show them, ‘well done guys, you’ve worked really really hard, and you deserve this.'"

Cheerforce Knights have already tasted victory in Liverpool this year (Image: Supplied)

Nearly £4000 has already been raised via the GoFundMe page, while generous donations from people and businesses, such as a £524 donation from Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) have also boosted the girls' chances of making it to Florida.

"Times are hard, and it’s the generosity of people that are going to give these kids that holiday of a lifetime. Some of them are going to remember this for the rest of their lives because of these generous people.

"The girls, they are working hard, they’re all helping with the fundraiser, some are even making bracelets and selling them.

"We’ll get there in the end. I think everybody just wants to get there and just watch them compete….we’re going to win."