A YOUNG climber from York has been invited to Estonia to launch a new climbing initiative.

Sianagh Gallagher, 18, from Acomb, was born prematurely with a curved spine and no left arm, collar bone or shoulder blade, is the captain of the GB Paraclimbing team, and won the Community Pride Sporting Hero award in 2013.

The GB team was contacted by Estonian officials about promoting the sport overseas, and now she and her mother, Jade Ross, are raising money to take the trip over there.

Jade said: “She’s really excited and very proud to be honest. She’s only 18, so to be captain of the GB team is amazing. She did a short film recently to try and promote power climbing and disabled sports to try and get people out there so she feels very honoured to be asked and desperately wants to go.

“It will be fantastic for the people out there to have a power climbing club because I don’t think there’s anything out there for people with disabilities or who need specialist coaching, showing that if you’re disabled it doesn’t matter - you can get up there and do it and Sianagh is living proof of this.”

Sianagh, Jade and others are attempting to raise £5,000 to pay for the trip to Estonia, and have already lined up an impressive challenge to take place next week.

Jade, who qualified to help Sianagh train but does not climb much any more, said: “We’re doing a sponsored climb between us all – climbing the equivalent of Kilimanjaro in a day on a climbing wall in Liverpool,” said Jade.

“We each have to climb 17 12-metre walls,” she added.

“I’m really nervous but people have started sponsoring me now, so I can’t back out.

“I will do it, I know I will.

“I like to think Sianagh gets her determination from me, but it was such an honour for us both to be invited out to help so there’s that too.”

Organisers are still looking for more people to take part in the challenge, which will take place at Awesome Walls in Liverpool on June 7.

To sponsor her or find out more about taking part, go to onthisroc.co.uk

Organisers are looking for people to be sponsored to climb and take part as well.