A TRIO of acro-gymnasts from Cornwall are appealing for supporters to pitch in and help them to represent Great Britain at a major international event.

Ella Atkinson-Townsend, 15 from Truro; Ashleigh Masters, 14, from Roche; and Aine Foden-Clarke, 10, from St Merryn, train at Kernow Gymnastics and Acro Academy in Summercourt.

They formed a partnership in December 2022 and have since competed in Portugal and Poland. They were named English champions in April, and runners-up at the British Championships in June.

Earlier this month, they received confirmation that they had been selected to represent Great Britain in the 11-16 category at the Gutenburg Cup in Germany in October. A crowdfunding campaign to cover their expenses has already raised £2,500 towards a target of £3,000.

Ella’s mother, Kerry Atkinson, said: “In less than a year these girls have achieved so much and we couldn’t be prouder. We didn’t ever believe tyhey would get this far – and every bit of it is completely self-funded.” Between them the three families have spent around £10,000 on travel, accommodation, training - even a gem-encrusted leotard costs £850. “We have been funding it through loans so far, because we don’t want to let them down,” said Kerry.

“The determination and focus they all show blows us away. “They have given up on so much, missing other social events – they work hard for it. Ella watched other girls get GB badges on their leotards, and that was what she wanted and worked for.” Local businesses have been supportive; in Truro, Sam’s in the City and The Rising Sun have offered to host fundraising events. The girls continue to put in 25 hours a week of training with coach Tia Mallinder-McCormac, fitting it around schoolwork and often training seven days a week. On Mondays, they leave school at lunchtime and train from 1pm to 9pm.

Ella, who attended Archbishop Bensonprimary school and is about to enter her final year at Penair, also trains younger gymnasts for an hour each week.

She received a Young and Talented Cornwall award from the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund in May. And of course, the parents have to fit around the girls’ schedules. “We have to plan our lives around the gym,” says Ashleigh’s mum, Karen Ould.

“We often discuss who will be able to accompany them on trips as an extra person with Tia. I call myself the ‘useless parent’ because I cannot braid their hair to save my life!”

Coach Tia, who has run her gym in Summercourt for 10 years, said: “I’m amazingly proud of them. It was purely by accident that I put trhem together, when their partners were injured or on holiday, and I could see instantly that it worked, but I don’t think anyone expected them to click like this.

“When putting girls together, you consider elements like height, age and ability – and personality. Ashleigh is stubborn, and will not let the other two give in; Ella brings fun to the trio, and Aine has a natural, mesmerising talent.”

Regarding her hopes for Gutenburg, she added: “I hope we win, in recognition of all the hard work they have put in this year.”

• To donate, visit www. crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ cornish-girls-teamgbr#start