About the Ascension Eagles who are supported by the Trust
The Trust has been very pleased to offer financial support to this local organisation for girls. The Cheerleaders began in November 1996 as an outreach of Ascension Church Centre, Custom House, Newham. Rev. Jonathan Brice and his wife Shara, initially started the program as a way to keep youth off the streets and engaged in an activity which promotes fitness and social interaction.
Over the past decade, the Cheerleaders have been recognized as one of the UK's most successful youth programs, as well as Britain's best all-round cheer program. They aim to transform and inspire young people to reach their full potential, while providing the highest level of training, coaching and community development work. They seek to make a difference in the lives of young people so they can make a difference to others in their community and in the world.
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Ascension Eagles celebrate election at US Embassy in London
The Eagles were honoured to be invited to the US Embassy London for the 4th November Election night celebrations.
Selected for their achievements as Britain's Best Cheerleaders, and best Coed team outside of North America, the Eagles performed on the Embassy steps and greeted the 3000 guests as they arrived.
Inside the Embassy, screens projected the results as they came in, and every major media channel was closely watched. Burger King and Subway catered for the guests, while bands played in the downstairs rooms.
John Lunt, from the US Embassy London said, "Ascension Eagles were absolutely fantastic. They were a huge talking point among the guests, and they did an excellent job. As a result, they are all over the press and the web. The team was truly wonderful!"
The photographs and interviews with the Eagles were broadcast around the globe by BBC, CNN, CBS and Fox. The Eagles were delighted to receive reports from friends and family across the world that their photos and interviews were being aired for over 24 hours, as part of the worldwide response to the news that Obama had won the election.
"It is an exciting time in world history, and it is a privilege to be part of it," said 17 year old Ascension Eagle Lorraine Ofori.
Below:
Andrew Lloyd Webber stopped to watch the Eagles performance, and stayed to chat with them afterwards.
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The Eagles at the Lord Mayor's Show
The Eagles Cheerleaders made their sixth appearance at the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday, 8th November.
The Royals Business Park sponsored the entry which included the British Champion Ascension Eagles and Richard House, London's first children's hospice providing free speciality care to life-limited children.
AEC member Tilly Davis, aged 12, said, “We are proud to be in the Lord Mayor's Show with Richard House; they are our next door neighbour, just down the road from Ascension Church. Lots of people I know, including my Mum, volunteer to support the important work of Richard House.”
Of the 100 Ascension Eagles who performed, half of them were making their first appearance in the Lord Mayor's Show. Somya Raina, aged 10, said, “I joined the Eagles in September, so this was my first show. Even though it rained and we got really wet, it was fun to perform with the AEC family and to make so many people smile. I didn't want it to end!”
Pageantmaster Dominic Reid OBE said, “There's nothing on earth quite like the Lord Mayor's Show; it's a tradition that goes back centuries. This year, more than 6,000 participants passed along the three-mile route.”
The Lord Mayor's Show dates back to 1215, and is the longest running pageant in the world. In 1937, the Lord Mayor's Show became the world's first ever outdoor event to be broadcast on TV, and the BBC has continued to cover it ever since.
AEC member Tovonya Raybe was interviewed by the BBC along the route this year. Tovonya said, “We are so grateful that Development Securities opens new doors of opportunity to our young people, and helps us to achieve things that others only dream about. Being part of the Lord Mayor's Show is something we will always remember; doing it with our AEC family, entertaining thousands and having fun performing in the rain just made the day even more memorable.”
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To contact the Eagles, and for more information and their latest news visit their website
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Last updated: 14th November 2008
