A FUND-RAISING appeal has been launched by South Coast Waves Cheerleaders to fix their collapsing equipment shed.
The Washford-based cheerleading group is run by four volunteer coaches and relies on local funding for equipment, supplies, and uniforms.
The shed, which is on site in Washford, stores the group’s equipment and mats, which would perish without shelter.
Volunteer coach Kirsty Leete said: “We would not be able to train safely without the mats, so it is safe to say the business would be at threat if the shed collapses.”
The group has reached out to local shed businesses and larger construction companies but not had any responses.
The group is currently made up of about 25 people, with 10 athletes in each of its senior team and youth team.
South Coast Waves was established six years ago by head coach Becky and her friend in an attempt to broaden sporting options for local children.
Becky realised that the only options available to local youngsters was ballet and football and wanted to broaden their athletic horizons.
South Coast Waves trains athletes from the age of four in gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, and stunts.
The group has a level two competition team which competes in shows across the UK as well as a youth team who are currently training for their first competition.
The cheerleading group recently performed at Watchet Carnival Family Fun Day and stepped in last-minute for the Williton Fete after another performer dropped out.
South Coast Waves was hit hard during the Covid pandemic, which cancelled a huge competition in Paris.
Ms Leete said: “Everything was paid for. Merchandise, hotels, travel, everything. Nobody was given any money back.”
The pandemic also meant that South Coast Waves lost a huge number of its athletes.
Ms Leete said the group ‘really had to push advertising’ and even offered ‘to perform for free’ to ‘get their name out there’.
Now, numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels but the broken shed has thrown a spanner in the works and the group is yet again on the brink of collapse.
The cheerleaders have started a GoFundMe page to fix the shed and hope to raise enough before the winter weather completely destroys their equipment.