A NORTON-based gymnastic school is fundraising for new equipment.

DE gymnastics is all part of Dance Expression School of Dance, which has purpose-built studios at the Ryedale Community Leisure Centre (RCLC)

Teacher Laura Ventress said: “We started gymnastics about four and a half years ago with about eight children and borrowing equipment. The success has been fantastic and over time we have done numerous fundraisers to build up the equipment we have including mats, spring board, the vault, trampette and more recently the beam.

“The gymnasts have been very supportive and we now have about 180 children. The new equipment we are fundraising for is a tumble track and its surrounding safety mats, which will cost about £5,000 to £8,000.

“This will help the children develop their skills to the next level and more and will open up endless opportunities for the children to learn lots of new skills. It will also help us as teachers give children lots more confidence with what they are doing.”

The first fundraiser is a bingo event on Saturday, at RCLC, at 7.30pm. Other events planned including a gymathon, a gymnastic show and sweet tube challenge.

To help, or for details of the classes, email Laura Ventress on westoby5639@aol.com