A DANCE group from Cassington is appealing for help to raise money to compete in the European finals of a competition.

Unleashed — a street dance group made up of 19 girls, aged between 12 and 16 — has qualified to compete at the European championships of the United Dance Organisation’s World Street Dance Competition.

The girls qualified at the end of August in the under-18 newcomer section of the competition, held in Blackpool.

However, the troupe must raise £3,000 for the girls’ travel and outfits for the final in April, which will take place in Disneyland, Paris.

Dance teacher Nadia Pharaon, who runs Step 2 Dance Academy, in Cassington village hall, said: “It’s very expensive for all of the children and their families to take them to these competitions, so it would be brilliant for the families if they could get sponsorship.”

The girls plan to perform at harvest festivals over the coming weeks and in the Westgate Shopping Centre, in Oxford, to try to raise some cash.

Miss Pharaon, who has run her dance academy for the past four years, said: “They all come from a very small village.

“The chance for us to go to big performances is quite slim.

“We are also writing to companies to see if possible sponsorship is available.”

Unleashed trained together for four months for the Blackpool competition, for up to five hours per week.

Their routine, which sees them perform in orange, prison-style boilersuits, was set to music created by Cassington-company Street Dance Mixers.

For further information or to help with sponsorship, email Miss Pharaon, at nadia_pharaon @yahoo.co.uk