Chorley gymnasts fundraise to compete in Florida World Championships

Back row left to right: Felicity Bassett, Jessie Hulme, Freya Oldfield, Martha Aspden. Front row left to right: Abigail Hawkins, Amy Clements, Freya Metcalfe.

A team of young gymnasts from Chorley are raising money to compete in the World Championships in Florida this summer.

Chorley Gymnastics Club are set to qualify in the international competition, with a team of 10-sixteen girls aiming to go to the USA for 7 days.

The Club has attended 4 local competitions which qualify them for the event and will compete at a national competition in Milton Keynes this spring to secure their place.

April Edwards, Evelyn, Holly Blakeley and Emily Hawkins.

Martha Aspden, a twelve-year-old from the club said: “From being small and watching the older ones go, I knew this is what I wanted to do.

“Getting to travel across the world with my gym friends and represent Chorley would be amazing, a dream come true.”

Made up of girls from ages 6-twelve from Chorley and South Ribble, some of the team have been training since they were toddlers with seven competing in the Championships last year.

Emily Blakely, ten years old said: “I was lucky enough to qualify last year and would love to go again.

“It was so much fun competing against other countries. Both me and my little sister are competing this year.

“Hopefully we both make it along with my gym buddies.”

Taking place across seven days, the gymnasts will compete with others from across the globe and individually demonstrate their skills on the beam, bars, floor and vault to get a score and position within their age group.

Anyone who reaches a top 7 position will be invited to compete in the finals of the ‘All Around’ Competition.

The trip is expected to cost £760 per gymnast to cover fees, insurance and kit and the flights are expected to be £1100.

The Club has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the cost and raise money for team kit, competition fees and insurance. You can donate on their page.

Back row left to right: Poppy Hayhurst, Amelia Ormshaw, Esme Knowles. Front row left to right:
Sophia Shepherd, Emily Blakeley.

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