A Thatcham-based cheerleading squad could scoop a coveted Pride of Reading Award after receiving no fewer than 16 nominations.

Crimson Heat Tigers are one of the UKs premier cheerleading teams with multiple national and international championship wins.

And on May 7 in Orlando, Florida, they pipped the Americans to the post by becoming the 2017 Summit Junior World Champions.

Chairman Gary Ayckbourn, 48, said: Crimson Heat was set up seven years ago in 2010, with only 10 girls, no equipment and a simple vision of trying to focus on the positives that sport brings building a winning team mentality.

"Over the years, we have been able to prove that with the right mental attitude, hard work, determination and teamwork, you can achieve anything.

The squad boasts five teams, with more than 100 members, aged from five to 25, the majority being from Reading and some as far afield as Bristol and Essex.

But their success is not just about beating the Americans at their own game, as many of the nominations for the Crimson Heat Tigers are for how the coaches and volunteers look after well-being of their team members.

Mum Claire Lunnon, from Padworth, said: Coaches Gareth Green and Delph Ayckbourn deserve to be named Community Champions as Crimson Heat are an amazing, inspiring cheerleading team that support, mentor, encourage and young girls in the community.

First and foremost, they ensure the children are performing well at school and then they take them under their wing and train them to become young athletes.

My shy six-year-old daughter is a member and although isn't naturally athletic, the team has taken her under their wing, and each week her confidence builds. A credit to our community.

Cheerleader Hannah Lumbar, from East Reading, also nominated the coaches as Community Champions, saying: I have only been on for one season and it has changed my life.

"They are my family and an inspiration to many people. Crimson Heat do so much charity work that always goes unrecognised but changes lives.

Claire Bird from Thatcham said: The coaches are the kindest, most giving people I've ever met.

"They encourage all abilities and have an SEN [special educational needs] team working alongside Kennet School.

Nominations were also sent in by Debbi Enticknap, from Shinfield, Bristols Rachel Sheldon, Stephanie Tayler and Karen Wichard, James Wild from Newbury, Pauline Dean from Tilehurst, East Readings Hollie Lumbar and Katie Taylor, Martyn Gavaghan and Jon-Paul Baldock, both from Calcot, and Michelle Paice, from Upper Bucklebury.

Proud coaches Glory Carlisle and Megan Maynard also nominated the squad and its volunteers.

On being told of The Crimson Heat Tigers multiple Pride of Reading nominations, Mr Ayckbourn said: Being nominated as a club for the Pride of Reading awards makes me incredibly proud and humble.

"Not for me, but for the recognition of the incredible team people who make up the Crimson Heat management and coaching staff, all of whom are unpaid volunteers, and all of whom give their time and incredible dedication to the ethos of the program and to develop and support these young athletes.

Winning world and national titles is great, and is a tangible recognition of the hard work and dedication of our incredible athletes and coaches.

"However, what makes me the proudest, are the things you dont see.

"The difference we make to these young peoples lives.

"Seeing a young girl walk into the gym with limited confidence and self-esteem and watching them grow and blossom and knowing that we are an integral part of their personal journey.

Of being there for them when they need us most, actively encouraging them to open up about issues that affect them, yet most importantly, being there, night and day if required, to support them, get them the help they need and seeing this through to the end.

The Community Champion Award is sponsored by Broad Street Mall, the Young Person of the Year Award by the University of Reading, and the Volunteer/s of the Year Award by AB Walker.

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To nominate a person or business for one of these awards all you need to do is fill out the form below and wait for our reporter to be in touch.

Please note there is no need to send in multiple nominations for the same person or organisation.

The judges decision on whether a nominee is shortlisted is based on each individual story rather than the number of nominations each person or organisation receives.

If you can't see the form click here.

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Pride of Reading: Champion cheerleaders prove anything is possible with determination - getreading