CHEERLEADERS may be used to flying through the air.

But these caped crusaders from the University of Sussex will be reaching new heights next month when they don superhero costumes and take to the streets in a charity fun run.

The 22 women from the Sussex Swallows cheerleading squad have already hit their target of more than £1,000 for domestic abuse charity Rise.

They are hopeful of raising even more money between now and the race next month.

Society president Emma Gilbert, who will be running dressed as Wonder Woman, said: “We chose Rise to be our charity at the beginning of the year and we’ve been supporting them with bake sales and things.

“Then I saw the Heroes Run and thought, ‘wouldn’t this be great’.”

Emma, a 20-year-old law student, signed everyone up. She said: “Then I the others they either had to run a 10k or a 5k. Mainly they took it quite well.”

Cat Park, 18, who studies business and management, said: “I’ll be running as Catwoman, obviously.

“Rise is amazing, I’ve really enjoyed helping them with our other charity events and this is such a great way to raise awareness.”

Becca Low, 20, is trying to find time between studying for her medical neuroscience degree to train for the run.

She said: “I have done a bit of training but I’ve got a lot of deadlines at the moment.

“I’m going to go running soon but I live up Bear Road and I won’t be running up the hill – I think I’m going to find a park and do laps.”

Rise boss Jo Gough said the money will go to the therapy team to help fund the children’s counselling service.

Mia Dixon, 18, will begin her law degree in September but has already joined the Swallows while she does her foundation year’s studies.

She said: “I’ve always been quite interested in running, I’ve done lots of runs and I really like the fact it’s for a domestic violence charity, that’s really good.

“A lot of races focus on more well-known charities, so I think it’s great to be able to fundraise for a local charity. Domestic violence isn’t spoken about enough. It’s good to be doing this to get young people aware of the issue.”

The Heroes Run, promoted as the city’s happiest fun run, will return to Hove seafront on May 13 with runners dressed in their favourite superhero costume.

Entrance is £18 for the 5k race and £22 for the 10k. For a limited time Argus readers can get ten per cent discount by going to www.heroesrun.org.uk and using the code “daredevil”.

To donate to the Swallows go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sussex-swallows-cheer.