A visit to Warsop Carnival was the spark for a two-year-old Mansfield youngster to go on to become a champion climber.

Sam Hammond, now 16, has been representing Great Britain this year for lead climbing in European competitions, as well as competing in national events.

His success in Europe has led to selection for Great Britain at the World Youth Championships in Seoul, South Korea.

In September he will also travel to Helsinki, Finland for the European Youth Championships.

Already this summer he has competed in the European Youth Cup in Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny, France, — his first international competition, where he placed ninth.

The following weekend Sam also went to Imst in Tyrol, Austria for the the European Youth Cup, where he finished an impressive fifth.

A student at Joseph Whitaker School, Rainworth, his sporting achievements and ambition have been recognised by The Armchair Club — a group of sports-minded businesspeople.

The club supports local sports people and clubs with financial help and has awarded the teenager £500 towards his travelling costs to represent his country.

Sam’s mum, Nicola Hammond, said: “The support that Sam has received from the Armchair Club is amazing and we really appreciate their generosity.”

For the last five years Sam has also received support from Secur-it Group Ltd, Mansfield.

Nicola added: “The friendship, financial, and emotional support from them has kept Sam believing in himself and makes him push himself even harder to achieve his dreams.”

After first trying the now Olympic sport on a mobile climbing wall at Warsop Carnival, Sam joined Nottingham Climbing’s team aged seven.

In 2018 he came second in the grand final of the British Youth Climbing Series. The following year Sam attended a selection event for the GB National Development Squad — and has been part of the squad ever since.

In 2020 he moved to The Foundry/New Age climbing team and last year won the British Lead Championship.

ABOVE: Sam Hammond (centre) receives a cheque from members of The Armchair Club Geoff Waller (left) and Martyn Knox.