An Armagh tree surgeon who races cars in her free time says the job is "not as scary as you'd imagine".
Letisha Conn, 20, from Newtownhamilton in County Armagh, became a full-time tree surgeon after joining her father’s tree surgery business in 2023.
This isn’t the first time she’s followed in her father Stephen’s footsteps.
Having grown up watching him race rally cars, Letisha made history in 2021 at just 16 years old, becoming the first girl to take an outright win on a Junior Rally in any UK Junior Rally Championship.
Letisha began helping her dad with the family business during school holidays and over the summer, eventually deciding after college to pursue tree surgery as a career.
"I was enjoying the work, so I decided to stick at it," she said.
Although working at height is a major challenge, she explained the job is "a lot safer" than people think.
The variety in her day-to-day work is part of what drew her to the profession.
"Every day there is something new," she told BBC News NI.
Storm Éowyn brought new challenges for the young tree surgeon, exposing her to an unprecedented level of destruction.
"It has been a really good learning curve," she said, despite the storm's impact.
Letisha’s passion for rallying runs deep.
"I was seven when my dad got me my first go kart," she recalled.
She began competitive rallying at 13, and in 2024 raced in the Ulster Rally with her father in a red BMW.
An overshoot during the event resulted in a painful shoulder injury for Letisha.
"You are so in the zone you don't even notice how dangerous it actually is," she said.
Her goal for 2025 is to "ease back into the seat" and compete in as many rounds of the Northern Ireland championship as possible.
Navigating two male-dominated industries hasn’t discouraged Letisha—instead, it has motivated her further.
"Everyone has been very friendly, I've never had any bother, it's been nothing but good attention."
Letisha says she’s "proud" to be walking the same path as her father in both tree surgery and rally driving.
"He has been my biggest support, I don't think I'll ever be able to thank him enough," she added.
