In a few weeks our 15-year-old daughter Caitlyn will compete for Great Britain at the FIG Junior World Championships in Pamplona, Spain.

It's an incredible honour and privilege to be one of just four athletes selected to represent GB for women's tumbling in the 15-16 age category, but it comes at a cost.

We are raising funds to help her live out her dream to compete on the world stage and would be so grateful for any support you can give.

So what IS tumbling?

Tumbling is an incredibly exciting and dynamic discipline likened to the 100-metre sprint of gymnastics.

Competitors power their way down a 25-metre tumble track completing somersaults and twists at breakneck speed and often drawing gasps of awe from spectators.

Despite its thrilling nature, tumbling is not an Olympic sport and taking part in international competitions like this is completely self-funded.

Caitlyn as a Tumbler

Gymnastics has been part of Caitlyn's life ever since she first toddled into a gym aged just one.

Little did we know how big a part it would play!

What started as weekly recreational classes all those years ago, has turned into training in the gym FIVE times a week, taking part in regular GB and England squad training camps since 2022, competing (and winning medals) in national events and attending international competitions and training camps.

Hard-working and disciplined, at the start of 2025 Caitlyn set herself the goal of being selected for her first World Championships.

She has endeavoured all year to keep improving and increasing the difficulty of her tumbles. She performed incredibly at the qualifying events to secure her place on the team, winning two gold medals in the first two qualifiers, and a bronze medal at the British Championships final in October.

Now she's looking forward to competing at the pinnacle of her sport for her age.

You can see some of Caitlyn's tumbling over on her Instagram page caitlyn_tumbler

Why we need your help

If I'm honest I'm too scared to add up how much money we've ploughed into supporting Caitlyn's gymnastics journey over the years, but it's fair to say it runs into tens of thousands of pounds.

Besides the monthly training costs, there's competition entry fees, travel costs and hotel stays, spectator tickets, GB squad camps and international tumbling comps, leotards and kit to cover.

We've tried to give Caitlyn every chance to flourish in tumbling, but this year we've had to turn down opportunities due to financial constraints.

We couldn't miss the chance of sending her to the World Championships though, so would be grateful for any contributions towards the £1700 cost for her to take part.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for any donations you make, however big or small.

Tumble on!