Falkirk area cheerleaders are taking part in mammoth fundraising challenge

Sapphire Cheer and Dance are among the finalists in the Cash for Kids Sports Challenge 2026 – which sees sporting groups around the country attempt to raise as much money as possible in the short time period, while helping the charity at the same time.

Those who raise the most during that period will be awarded additional funding for their group. However, while raising the funds for their own group they are also helping to support Cash for Kids.

The charity, which will receive the Gift Aid on all the money collected by the finalists, helps disadvantaged children and young people across the UK, giving them the chance to thrive with all the money raised in Scotland staying in Scotland.

The fundraising challenge started on Saturday, and since then everyone at Sapphire has been working their socks off to help raise money.

In the first two days, the group had raised £4000 from their efforts.

Kelly Faulds, from the Sapphire Cheer and Dance Parent Association who are helping to drive the fundraising, explained: “This is an amazing opportunity for our programme, but the short timeframe means we need the support of the Falkirk community behind us from the very beginning.

“Sapphire provides competitive and recreational cheerleading and dance opportunities for children and young people of all ages and abilities.

"Our athletes have achieved incredible success, including becoming Allstar World Champions and European Summit Champions, but the heart of Sapphire extends far beyond trophies.

“Many of our families experience financial hardship, and we also support young people facing physical illness, mental-health challenges and difficult family circumstances.

"Sapphire is a genuine home from home for many of our children. We provide scholarships, organise extensive fundraising and work tirelessly to ensure finances do not prevent an athlete from participating in the sport they love.

"This is the first time we’ve ever seen the challenge and it's such a fantastic way for us to raise money while also raising money for Cash for Kids.

"It allows us to support our parents and their athletes – cheerleading is one of the biggest growing sports in the UK but it’s also extremely expensive.”

The Sapphire team are no stranger to fundraising, hosting regular events in a bid to raise money for the group, but the time constraint adds an extra element they are not used to.

"We already have a lot of fundraising activity but this has just been insane,” said Kelly.

"We’ve never seen so much input from parents. To be raising £4000 in two days – we never thought it would be anything like that.

"We initially set ourselves a target of £10,000. If you fundraise the most you win £5000. The people who won it last year are competing again this year.

"They raised £30,000 last year, which is a huge amount of money.

"We’ve got £30,000 in sight, trying to raise £1000 a day, that’s what we’re aiming for.

"It would be a lovely total as well going back to Cash for Kids as they are claiming the Gift Aid on the money we raise.

During the challenge, which runs until October 12, the Sapphire team are organising as many fundraising activities as possible – everything including bag packing, collections, raffles, community collaborations, sponsored activities and events.

Kelly continued: “Throughout the 30 days, we will be organising as many fundraising activities as possible, including collections, events, raffles and community collaborations.

"We hope the challenge will bring local people and businesses together in support of Falkirk’s children and young people.

"The kids are taking on their own challenges – walks up Dumyat, back hand spring challenges, running, walking, baking cakes – it’s really just bringing everyone together.

"Some of our dads are going to go up Dumyat, hopefully in cheerleading costumes if we can raise enough money.

"We’re just trying to do some fun things too.

Typically we see a lot of mums at Sapphire as it tends to be the mums that go to the competitions, so to see the dads getting involved is really great.

"This has been a whole family fundraising plan and everyone’s just bought into it so so much.

"Friends and family and the wider community have been donating in the masses.

"We’ve got businesses helping us out with bag packing slots and raffle prizes.

"The Helix Half Marathon have said we can go along, Falkirk Delivers are helping us.

"Everyone’s helping where they can. We’ve got 30 days to do this so we’re doing what we can as quickly as possible.

"It’s so nice to see how everyone wants to get behind us.”

To keep up to date with Sapphire’s fundraising efforts, or to find out how you can donate, visit www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/sports-challenge-edinburgh/fundraisers/sapphire-cheer-dance-parent-association/