A GROUP of young Galashiels dancers are pulling out all the stops for the chance to strut their stuff at a prestigious national championships in May.

Earlier this year, Alexa Scott. Tess Robertson, Claudia Smith, Ailie Tunmore, Neve Waddle, Casey Cavanagh and Astrid Ifversen Gardiner qualified for the Destination Dance Championships representing Southside Dance School.

The championships take place in Coventry in May and the girls now face a race against time to raise the money to represent Scotland on the national stage.

Destination Dance Championships have been running since 2014. The contest is the UK’s leading American-style dance competition, attracting dance schools from around the world to compete for trophies, prizes and scholarships to some of the country’s best dance colleges.

More than 2,500 dancers will compete at the event on May 4-5 in front of thousands of spectators. The girls qualified for the team event along with other young dancers based in Midlothian – Emily Bennette, Emily Eke, Pepper Pots, Aria Hall, Ellie Finlayson, Olivia Marshall, Heidi Cooper and Corrie Bell. The team will perform group performances across jazz and lyrical dance categories.

While excitement is high, the team are hoping to raise money to fund the costs of travel and accommodation for the weekend. In addition to their individual efforts, the team have set up a Crowdfunder to ask the community for support with big-hearted Borderers already donating more than £1,300 toward their target.

With just under two months to go before the event, the girls and their families are now making a final push for funds.

Parent Sharon Scott, whose daughter Alexa is part of the team, said: “The girls have worked so hard to qualify for these finals and are training and rehearsing diligently so they can give it their very best shot. They are very excited to be representing our area at such a prestigious event.

“As proud parents, we decided to help them raise money for the trip as it’s not cheap taking 16 dancers away for a finals weekend. We saw how much getting there meant to them and the strong bonds they form by working together during competitions.

“It would be a magical experience for them and a real milestone in their lives.

“The response to the Crowdfunder has been really lovely with more than £1,300 having already been raised by family and friends in the three weeks since we launched, and the finishing line is now firmly in sight.

“We are massively grateful for all the support so far and hope the community can continue to get behind our girls and help give them the chance to be the best they can be in Coventry.”

To support the group’s fundraising efforts, visit bit.ly/3wXjezE