Rising star Milton Keynes child with additional needs to compete in Team GB at cheerleading world championships
The family of a 12-year-old Team GB cheerleader with additional educational needs is struggling to cover competition costs to keep her dream alive.
Little Amelia Goodridge has been chosen to represent Team England at the cheerleading World Championships in America at just 12-years-old. But her success has not come without its challenges.
Amelia joined mainstream education in year 8, after facing many academic difficulties due to her additional needs, including autism, ADHD, and speech and language difficulties.
But one area where Amelia has always shone is through physical activity. She has enjoyed acting and gymnastics since she was four-years-old, and has more recently discovered an even greater passion for cheerleading.
After excelling in two seasons of the sport, she then entered her third season with Unity Allstars - the UK’s most successful cheerleading programme - before being selected for the World Championships.
Amelia’s mother, Dorita Goodridge said: “For Amelia, this means so much more than competing. It is an opportunity to show just how far she has come, to represent her country and to prove that the challenges a young person faces do not have to define what they can achieve.”
But this amazing achievement comes with big expenses, including travel costs to America.
Dorita added: “We are incredibly proud of her, but representing England comes with significant costs.
“We are therefore asking for support to help make this amazing opportunity possible for Amelia.”
Dorita has set up a fundraising campaign to help cover these expenses. In return for the donations, Amelia will be carrying out environmental litter-picking projects across several counties to give back to the local community and raise awareness of environmental responsibility. Meanwhile, Dorita is offering housecleaning services for a minimum of £10 donations.
If you’d like to support the family and help Amelia reach her dream of competing with Team England, you can donate at Amelia’s gofundme campaign.
Dorita said: Any donation, no matter how big or small, would mean so much to Amelia and our family. If you are unable to donate, sharing her story and fundraising page would also be an enormous help.
“Thank you for taking the time to read Amelia’s story, for believing in her journey, and for helping this determined young girl achieve her dream of representing England.”