A teenage girl is going up in the world – because her family spent £3,000 converting their home into a huge climbing frame.
Lucy Garlick, 14, earned a place in Team GB’s climbing squad after parents Paul and Natalie fitted ropes, bars and grips all through their house and garden.
Dad Paul, 42, began by screwing hand- and footholds on the stairs in 2014. Two years later he built a 12ft climbing wall in the loft.
In March last year he spent two days constructing the giant climbing frame in the garden, adding a mattress to cushion any falls.
The supportive parent said: “There were 1,250 holds I had to screw. I’ll never forget that number.
“My hands were still shaking a few days after. People walk into my house and they are like: ‘What?’ And I say: ‘Ohmy daughter climbs’.”
Lucy, from Carshalton, Surrey, began climbing aged six.
After being spotted by a local climbing club coach she began to take the sport seriously.
Gymnast mum Natalie, 44, said: “I first realised her competitive streak at her first competition. She got stuck on a climb.
“She hung on for over a minute trying to work out a way and then she just jumped for it and managed to catch the hold.
“The whole place erupted. It was amazing – proud mum moment.”
After climbing for just six months Lucy took part in the Youth Climbing Series and came fourth in the national finals.
At the weekend she competed for Team GB at the Youth World Rock Climbing Championships in Russia.
She told the Sunday Times: “I feel so free when I’m climbing. Any sadness or worries drift away and all I think about is the next move.
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“Words can’t describe how excited I am to compete on the youth world stage. After 18 months of no competitions, I can’t wait!”
It costs £1,200 a month for her squad fees, travel, hotel stays, flights, entering competitions.
But Paul added: “Obviously when your daughter asks for something she has you wrapped around her little finger.”
