A BRAVE Cumnock firefighter is looking to set alight the World Cheerleading Championships next year.

Charlotte Kelly has been in the fire brigade for just over three-and-a-half years.

As well as being a retained firefighter, the adopted Cumnock native who was born in Germany, works full time at Emergency One as a design administrator. 

On top of this she travels to Clydebank several times a week for cheerleading training.

Now Charlotte has been selected to represent Scotland at the massive event in Florida next year.

The 22-year-old has has previously represented Scotland twice in the past in platform diving.

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To help meet the cost of the trip to America, a fund-raising bingo and auction night is being held at the Chapel Hall in Cumnock on December 3.

Tickets are still available either on the night or in advance, and prizes have been donated by local businesses.

Charlotte's dad, Hugh, is already bursting with pride at his daughter becoming the first female firefighter at Cumnock fire station - and now he has even more reason to be excited at her achievements. 

He said: "Charlotte's achievements never fail to surprise me. Throughout her life she has shown a determination to achieve and has always surpassed her own expectations.

"When Charlotte got accepted into the Scotland squad, rather than relax and think well that's me in, she upped her game and has intensified her training in order to deliver the best she can.

"We as parents are immensely proud of her and her achievements and we always wonder what the next challenge will be and intrigued as to how she will approach it.

"When Charlotte was nine she suffered an horrific knee injury where she almost lost her leg.

"Throughout the next seven years she had to endure several operations in an attempt to fix her injury fully, during this time she started platform diving and when she needed to take a year out for her final surgery she qualified as a coach top remain involved."

Tickets for the evening, which is a 'bring your own bottle' night starting at 7pm, can be bought by contacting Hugh on 07362 723072.

Cumnock Community Fire Station is still on the lookout for firefighters to join their force.

You can find out more about the on-call firefighter role and current vacancies at www.firescotland.gov.uk/careers/on-call/