A MUM and daughter duo are set to be part of the first ‘adaptive abilities’ cheerleading team to compete at an international competition.
Fay James, 38, and her daughter Gracie, 16, will travel to Florida in April as part of the first such team to take part in the Allstar World Championship.
Their team is composed of 15 athletes and is a mix of able-bodied and disabled competitors.
Fay competes in a power wheelchair and Gracie is autistic.
The Bournemouth pair travel to Bristol every couple of weeks to train as they aim high for the competition.
“We’re hoping to bring home the first-ever adaptive ability Allstar world title, which would be amazing,” Fay said.
“It’s the first time at the Allstar Cheerleading Worlds has got an adapted abilities there. We will be the first team in the world to be competing at that competition, which for adapted abilities is a huge thing.”
Fay said there are fewer than five adaptive ability teams in the UK, and that the category within cheerleading is ‘slowly growing’.
“It’s growing, but it needs a boost,” she said.
“A majority of us are disabled in our own way. We’ve kids from about 12, all the way up to the oldest on the team, which will I think be 38. A nice big age range, lots of different abilities.
“It’s something that if we can make another disabled person go, 'I want to try that', then we’ve done our job.
“It’s out there promoting it, as much as it’s trying to win.”
However, travelling to the championships is self-funded by each competitor, so they are aiming to raise £1,000 each for the trip.
“That will go towards transport, competition entry fees, training kit, competition uniform, cheer shoes, travel, everything,” she said.
“It’s all completely self-funded, so if we can get donations, that’s a huge help.
“Unfortunately, because I have a powerchair, I’ve got to hire my own vehicle in America to get around. A lot of their Ubers and Lift cars are not accessible, so I have to have my own vehicle. So that adds on the best part of £1,000 just for that.”
The Allstar World Championship takes place between April 18 and 21.
To donate to Fay and Gracie’s fundraiser, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-get-to-allstar-worlds-2024?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
To donate to the team’s fundraiser, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/amy-savile-5?utm_term=arQWzzKw2
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