Students of a Wollongong cheerleading school have been left heartbroken after a Sydney company took off with nearly $12,000 saved over a year of fundraising.
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NRG Studios have tirelessly run raffles, chocolate drives and sausage sizzles for 12 months to raise the money for a sprung floor, a specially-designed soft floor that helps absorb shocks from leaps, falls and tumbling.
Studio co-owner Genevieve Anderson said NRG paid $11,375 to Five Dock-based supplier Sportech Australia on March 11 to deliver the floor in May.
Since then, Ms Anderson claims the studio has endured months of excuses and broken promises, and that company staff, including director Mark Stefan Livingston have vanished.
"We'd had them recommended to us, we heard they were pretty reliable," Ms Anderson said.
"We tried to contact them in April to see where it was up to and when it was coming. We didn't have emails returned or calls answered, where before they were very easy to get in contact with."
She claims up to 30 other schools have also been left in the lurch by Sportech, with a Facebook group set up by affected parties.
"A whole list of people told me they were owed money and floors and equipment, so then we really started trying to pursue them," she said.
"When we finally got in contact in early June, they said they had had troubles but asked us to hold tight while they figured it out.
"We haven't heard from them since. They've stopped returning calls, won't answer emails."
The Mercury tried numerous times to contact Sportech and Mr Livingston via phone, email and Facebook.
Mr Livingston is also listed as a coach for Five Dock cheerleading school Sydney Altitude, but calls to that business and Sportech both diverted directly to the same voicemail message.
"It's really disappointing. The kids worked really hard to raise that money. They're gutted," Ms Anderson said.
"We've been looking forward to getting the floor for a few years. It seemed like we finally could afford it, and someone has basically taken our money."
She said she had contacted Sportech's United States-based supplier for assistance, but solicitors have advised that there is little chance of recouping their money.
NRG has since set up an online donation page to begin their fundraising efforts once more. See gofundme.com/xwc4vdc.
