Training buddies - Molly Butler (16 years) and Luca Carrick-Smith (17 years) - learnt to ski about the same time they were learning to walk! Both are intent on pursuing the same goal - to become top ski racers.

Being selected to represent Team GB at the European Youth Olympics in Italy in January was just the first step on the journey. Molly and Luca are doing well, both competing at the FIS level and working hard to get their points down. The next goal is to travel to Chile for essential winter condition training during the summer months, enabling them to keep up with their European opponents.

Now the European Youth Olympics are over we need to raise money to train in South America. As Molly and Luca are from families without substantial wealth, this is no mean feat. And they also feel and understand the constant pressure to obtain the necessary funds for their training and events.

A full year of required training to maintain this level of competition is more than £50,000 for the two of them. But sadly, for Junior GB alpine athletes, there is no funding available.

Constant support is needed to continue, so whatever you can donate to help, no matter how big or small, we will be so grateful.

Both Molly and Luca put the same long and hard hours into on-snow training as they do off-snow, whether it's in the gym, or running up mountain passes. And they miss out on social activities with friends because of early bedtime calls, or because they need to juggle their busy school schedules. But they have very clear ambitions.

Molly is so happy to be living her dream, she says:

Luca was excited to be representing his country at the Youth Olympics:

Thank you so much for your kind support. By giving, you will be joining us on our journey. And you can share every step, and all the action, by following both Luca and Molly on Facebook and Instagram.

Molly Butler Instagram @mollyskigirl Facebook @mollymattie

Luca Carrick-Smith Instagram @carricksmithluca Facebook @carrick-smithboys