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.

Ms Ross said: “She’s really excited and very proud. 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.”

Miss Gallagher, Ms Ross and others are attempting to raise £5,000 to pay for the trip to Estonia, and have already lined up a sponsored climb in Liverpool, the equivalent of climbing Kilimanjaro on a climbing wall.

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 toonthisroc.co.uk.