Having grown rapidly since 2009, the Bedford campus-based squad now boasts a 34-strong mixed gender roster, with members competing for the six cheer, stunt and dance teams who all fall under the Cheerleading banner.

Finishing fourth in the largest university cheer competition in Europe, hosted at the University of Bath last month; the cheer team (pictured) has high hopes of success at the British Cheerleading Association (BCA) National Championships in Telford – a competition they’re entering for the first time.

But to enter they need to raise some £1, 600 by 5pm next Tuesday (11 March).

“All six teams desperately want to take part in the National Championships and whilst we have already raised more than £700, we need more,” said Imogen Gibbs, vice-captain of the Cheerleading squad.

“The Students’ Union provides us with valuable financial support for events that are just for universities, but April’s tournament at the Telford International Centre is organised by the British Cheerleading Association and open to everyone.”

In a division that contains 13 teams from other universities and cheerleading clubs across the country, the Bedfordshire cheer team faces stiff competition at the BCA Championships.

Imogen added: “The way the cheer competition operates is that a team of 28 perform a routine, which is very much gymnastics based, and we are marked out of ten by a judges’ panel on criteria such as difficulty and execution. The team with the highest mark wins, whilst the division you are placed in is based on your level of experience as a team.”

To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/uobcheerleaders or for updates from the squad follow them on Twitter: @uobbulls