WASHFORD-based South Coast Waves Cheerleading Club have completed a series of fund-raising and showcase events which brought together athletes, coaches, families, and members of the local community.

They included a senior team tumble marathon in their training hall when nine athletes and a coach took part from 9 am until nearly 2 pm, completing 3,517 lengths of the hall, a distance equivalent to a full marathon of 26.2 miles.

The challenge was supported by spectators, sponsorship, and fund-raising activities, with funds raised going toward future coaching and development.

The club started eight years ago in Washford to broaden sporting options for local children at a time when the only activities available were ballet and football.

South Coast Waves trains youngsters from the age of four years in gymnastic, cheerleading, dance, and stunts.

It has recovered spectacularly from serious setbacks which included the collapse of a shed which housed all the club’s equipment and which resulted in a successful appeal for alternative storage.

The club was also hit hard by the Covid pandemic, losing many members during lockdown. There was also a setback when a major Paris competition in which the club was due to take part, was cancelled.

Recently, the club hosted a showcase in Washford Village Hall where four teams performed a total of eight routines across the day.

Fund-raising stalls ran alongside the performances, contributing to a total of £664.75 raised.

The events followed recent competition success for the club with the under-14 level one and senior level two teams both achieving first place in a recent virtual national competition.

Head coach Becky Smith said: “I am incredibly proud of all our athletes.

“The commitment shown during the tumble marathon and the showcase reflects the hard work they put in every week.

“We are very grateful to everybody in the community who supported us."