A TEENAGER from Llandudno Junction is appealing for donations so that she can fund a trip to South Africa to represent Wales in powerlifting.

Libby Rubin, 19, has been selected to represent her country at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation Championships in Sun City in October, in the under-76kg junior class.

But she needs to raise money to afford the trip, so has set up a GoFundMe page online - www.gofundme.com/f/help-libby-get-to-the-2024-commonwealth-championships.

She said: “I started powerlifting soon after the gyms first re-opened during lockdown, and then took part in my first competition in April 2022.

“It would just be a dream come true to be given the opportunity to compete for my country in a sport I love.

“I have made a good effort to raise £850 to get to the championships so far, as I have to pay for the whole thing myself, but there is a significant amount more I still need to raise.”

Libby was selected for the South African event following her performance in the 2024 British Junior and Sub-junior Championships.

She is also currently studying mathematics at Loughborough University.

When back home in North Wales, she works as a waitress at The Olive Grove in Deganwy, and trains at Wells Fitness Health Club in Llandudno.