Fundraising gets members all in a twirl

by Faith Eckersall

Members of a Poole-based baton twirling team have thanked supporters for raising more than £3,000 to help them compete in an international competition later this summer.

Following a mega raffle featuring 77 prizes and a public day, held in early July, the Gemini Twirl Team have raised £3,096.

Five members of the 20-strong team, who come from all over Dorset and are coached by Gemma Milne and Lorraine Dredge, have been selected to compete as part of the United Twirl England Team. They will travel to the International Baton Twirling Federation Nations

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Cup at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool this August.

Louise Bottomley, of Poole who was a member of the team until 2007, said: “This is their first time competing individually for Britain and a great honour but there are a few costs involved, so we wanted to raise as much as possible to help them.”

The money will assist with the cost of hotels, entry fees, the mini-bus and England tracksuits because, Louise explained:

“Baton twirling is not a funded sport or activity.”

However, baton twirlers are hoping they can be accepted as an Olympic sport at some point in the future, she said.

Gemini was founded 1990 and has continued going strength to strength.

“I loved doing it, you made lifelong friends and it’s such a great thing to be involved in,” said Louise.

For more info visit: geminitwirl-team.webs.com/ or on Facebook.