We are a group of six senior rhythmic gymnasts aged 15 to 17 based at iSTAR Academy in Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.

Although we are almost entirely self-funded, we represent Great Britain at the very highest level against the very best groups in the world. We train 30 hours a week with our coach, London 2012 Olympian Lynne Hutchison and two of us have relocated mid-A levels (from London and Nottingham) to be part of our group.

We all share a great passion and love for our sport and want to make our group the best it can be. We regularly attend Lilleshall National Sports Centre with national coach and European medal winner Maria Gateva. These training camps are a vital part of our development and progress. But to pay for all our training, competitions, equipment and travel, we have to rely heavily on the financial support of our families and friends. Costs for us are growing as elite sport is never cheap.

The typical costs we face (per gymnast) each year are:

* Monthly training £2400

* Training camps + travel £1800

* Competition costs (international) £3500-4000

* Leotards, training kit and apparatus £2000

All together, each of us faces costs per year of more than £10,000. And this does not include competing for Britain at the upcoming European and World Championships where we may also be required to fund all or part of our participation.

If you are able to donate and support us in any way, we would be really grateful. To keep our group growing and improving and able to represent our country as well as we possibly can is really important to us!

For anyone that wants to know more about us and follow what we are doing, please check us out on Instagram and Facebook. We will be posting regular updates on our progress!

Thank you so much for any support you can give us!

Atie, Isabella, Issy, Emily, Rosie & Phillipa

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/istargbgroup/

More about us on our club website https://www.i-staracademy.co.uk/support-us

Follow our club Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/istaracademy/

Our club Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/istaracademy/