A YOUNG horse carriage driver is appealing to the public to raise money to be considered to compete in a European Championships.

Flo Goodbrand-Lloyd, 18, from Staveley-in-Cartmel, is working towards competing at the 2024 Youth Driving European Championships in Flyinge, Sweden, but needs to raise another £2,500 in order to be in with a chance.

This is so she can meet the requirement of attending 10 training days and competitions over the next year.

There are two spaces available for the British Juniors Team in the 18-25 age category.

Earlier this year, Flo managed to raise £1,100 through generous donations from Cumbria Young People’s Fund, Staveley United Charities Fund and Cartmel Old Grammar School Foundation.

These contributions enabled her to compete at the British Carriage Driving Junior Championships in 2023 where she finished fourth in the marathon and sixth overall.

Flo said: “The Chef-D'Equipe for British Carriage Driving Juniors has asked me to put myself forward for selection to the European Championships For Youth Driving 2024, however as carriage driving isn’t an Olympic sport, Lottery funds don’t apply.

“I need your help.

“If you have a business and would like to be a recognised sponsor, get in touch and we can introduce your brand to the UK carriage driving community and promote you through our social media channels with a combined audience on Facebook and Instagram of over 5,000 and growing.”

A £100 donation will result in Flo taking you out on a training run with a pair of ponies and a carriage, and a £200+ donation would see her and her dad take you out on a training run with four ponies and carriage.

Tommy Thomlinson, British Carriage Driving Technical Delegate, said: I had the great pleasure of meeting Flo and her father Tom at our British Young Drivers Championships in the summer of 2022. What a super family and pony."

She first started driving ponies at the age of four and her interest stems from her family having bred Fell ponies since 1957.  

Jo Alvis, Chef-D’Equipe (Team Leader) of BC Juniors, said: “The bond between Flo and her pony was so clearly visible, they were a joy to watch through training and the competition and between them there is a lot of potential. Flo's passion and knowledge will hopefully stand her in good stead for a fabulous driving career.”

If you would like to help Flo achieve her goal, you can donate through her GoFundMe page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Get-Flo-to-the-European-Championships