Here's how to use your pep to help other people

The dummies' guide to cheer squads (it's me, I'm the dummy)

As someone who quite naturally oozes pep, I’ve often joked I should be a professional cheerleader (lacking as I am in the requisite ability, agility, stamina, skill, etc., to be one in the Dallas Cowboys sense).

If you’re doing a speech or performance and want some positive reinforcement, I’m the perfect guest in the crowd.

If you need someone to convince you to do something, I’m the perfect enabler.

And if you’re running a marathon, I’m the perfect cheer squad member¹.

I only found out about cheer squads, or cheer points, fairly recently, so with the London Marathon in just a few short weeks², I thought I’d speak to some brilliant charitable folk with cheer squad intel (you can find their bios at the bottom) in case you and your enthusiasm could be of assistance too…

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

Ok, what is a cheer squad?

Ruby Bayley

: “A cheer squad is a group of dedicated volunteers who come together to raise awareness for a charity's cause and support brave fundraisers by cheerleading at things like races, parades, and other events. They inject excitement and boost morale with their spirited chants, singing, clapping, and whooping! By giving fundraisers the best experience, you’ll help the charity to recruit more participants and raise more money for their vital cause. You'll also get a very wholesome day out, that satisfying feeling that you’re rooting for changemakers, and the chance to meet lots of lovely and inspiring people!”

How can you get involved in a cheer squad?

Sophie Wallace: “If you know someone who is running for a charity, ask them where their charity's stand will be (we always tell runners, so they can keep an eye out for us and wave for the camera) - you can just join when you want, or get in touch to volunteer for the whole day.

Otherwise, you can get in touch with a charity that you'd like to support, and get in touch with their fundraising teams (they usually have a general email), or reach out to them on social media. Just ask if they'll be running a cheer point, and are looking for volunteers. Chances are, they'll snap your hands off.

They'll then share the details of where they'll be meeting, times and anything else. They'll often be able to offer you some branded items to wear, or branded hand clappers so that you don't ruin your hands by clapping for 3 hours straight.

If you're able to volunteer for the whole race (or part, if it's a marathon), it's so helpful. The more the merrier!”

Photo by Sherise Van Dyk on Unsplash

Do you have any advice for people who want to get or are involved in them?

Victoria Flynn: “First and foremost you’ve got to bring the energy! The crowds are the absolute backbone of these events, spurring all the amazing participants on to that finish line, so you need to be on good form shouting and cheering your support. If you’re not sure what to say, or feel a bit shy, it’s always easy to just pick out names of runners from their bibs and shout “Go [name]!”" (And, as Sophie notes, “don't worry about repeating yourself with the same 3 things, the runners move by so quickly they won't hear.”)

Sophie: “Wear comfy clothes and shoes…bring some water and snacks, [and] leave yourself plenty of time to get to the cheer point location - races often mean roads are closed and trains are busy, so you might have to weave around to get where you need to go.”

Ruby: “Choose a charity you feel really passionate and excited about or if you have a friend or family participating in an event, join in with the charity they are fundraising for! Don't be afraid to get the good tunes on (Ring My Bell is my fave for cycling events), funny signs out, and really express yourself…(and be prepared to have to rest your voice/have a honey and lemon the next day!)”

Thank you Ruby, Sophie & Victoria!

Ruby is a charity project manager and funding lead for Friends of the Earth Scotland. She is listed as one of Civil Society Media's 25-Under-35 for her creativity, skill, and innovative spirit. As an adventurer and nature lover, she finds her joy and inspiration in the everyday beauty of the world around her (and psychedelic cumbia). You can read her Substack here.

Victoria lives in West London and is currently the Social Media Manager at Cystic Fibrosis Trust, but has spent the last six years working in the charity sector in various roles, including fundraising, comms and events. She can often be found embarrassing herself for the Trust’s social media channels…

Sophie is a public fundraiser with over eight years experience in the charity sector, and has worked on fundraisers ranging from races and tea parties, to Christmas singles and knitted postbox toppers! She now works at the RAF Museum creating new fundraising programmes in regular giving and legacies. Inside and outside of work, she’s a history nerd, reader, list writer and tea drinker.

1. What we’re going to do here is ignore the fact that I haven’t yet managed to actually be one, because I’m at the age where all of my friends are taking up running in quite a serious way — so I’m already required to be there waving posters with their names on instead

2. And to the above point - go Roma! Go Jack!