A CHEERLEADING squad based in Greater Leys has marched, twirled and cartwheeled across Oxfordshire for 26 years.

But now the glitzy uniforms of the Strawberry Fayre Majorettes are starting to show their age, and the group is pulling out all the stops to raise funds for new dresses.

About 20 girls are currently signed up to the group, which meets on Wednesday nights in The Barn, Long Ground.

New custom-made summer uniforms for 2016 will cost about £4,000. Fundraising efforts began at the Leys Festival in Blackbird Leys Park last Saturday.

Manager Eileen Filer, 63, said: “We were selling empty jam jars full of sweets and raised about £49 in three hours, which was a good start.

“More girls are coming in now. We need new outfits and also new footwear. The girls have told me they feel uncomfortable in the boots.”

At present the majorettes have three outfits each: a “twist dress” with gold sequins and edging for special events, a winter skirt and top worn with a leotard, and a Lycra summer dress made specially by outfitters in Dallas, Texas.

Every part of the uniform, down to socks and undergarments, is funded by organisers and participants only pay for their baton. It costs about £350 to dress one girl.

The troupe caters for children and teenagers aged eight and above. It was founded by Ms Filer after her daughter Sharon, now 40, took an interest in cheerleading.

At the time Ms Filer was working for a computer company and now works part-time for Oxfordshire County Council. She said: “The most we have ever had was 40 girls. We’re a friendly group. Once the girls come they’re with us a long time. It brings out their confidence and is really a boost when they go out on show.”

In the past the majorettes have performed at variety of shows, church fetes, the Kassam Stadium at half-time and Witney, Thame and Bicester Carnivals.

Many years ago the squad also performed in Bonn, Oxford’s twinned city in Germany.

Planned fundraising events this month include a sponsored walk in Florence Park on Sunday, September 20, and a tombola and lucky dip stall at the Kassam Stadium on September 26.

The team is also looking for a new sponsor.

At the Leys Festival both Councillor Rae Humberstone, the Lord Mayor of Oxford, and Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, donated to the cause.

Mr Humberstone said: “I’ve known about the majorettes for many years.

“It’s a fantastic group and I will be donating further if they require it.”

The Gannett Foundation, the official charity of the Oxford Mail’s parent company Gannett, is asking good causes in the county, such as Strawberry Fayre Majorettes, to apply for grants.

The annual giveaway of about £20,000 is for special one-off projects.

The deadline for applications is Friday, October 16, 2015.