Three years ago my then 8 year old daughter supported her best friend through losing her Mum to cancer. It was an awful time, how do you reason that situation with an 8 year old? The thing that helped make that terrible time a little better was my daughter’s interest in climbing. I’ve never experienced an individual sport that has such a team spirit and sense of community. My now 11 year old daughter has just taken part in her first BMC Youth Series final at Ratho and ordered her first CAC t shirt to wear with pride as a thank you to the climbing community that provided a welcome distraction.