A youngster is on course to climb England's ten highest peaks before he is 11-years-old to raise funds for a Durham hospice.
Ten-year-old Merlin Rowell from Kirk Hammerton in North Yorkshire has already raised over £500 for St Cuthbert’s Hospice to thank them for the care they gave his grandma Kathleen
He was determined to fundraise for the hospice and after chatting with his mum Hester and dad Andrew they came up with ‘Merlin’s 10’, a challenge to climb England's ten highest peaks over the course of a year.
Talking about the inspiration behind the challenge, Merlin said: “Grandma was lots of fun.
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"We used to fish for tadpoles, she would make me dinosaurs and we’d go on the best adventures.
"It seemed like a good thing to do something fun in memory of my Grandma – she was looked after really well at St Cuthbert’s.
"I want other people to be cared for if they need it too.
"They need a lot of money to care for people.”
Currently, Merlin and his parents have reached the halfway mark and climbed five out of the ten peaks.
Merlin’s first climb was Helvellyn in the Lake District in March 2022, shortly followed by Cross Fell in April.
Merlin then made it up Skiddaw and Great Gable in May.
In August, he conquered Bowfell and said: “The best bit was scrambling up the river.
"My feet hurt by the end."
Mum Hester is proud of her son's determination and said: “We often travel to the peak with Merlin in his PJs in the car.
"Then getting to the peak can be a long trudge for little legs, so there is often a need for encouragement - it’s the only time he can be sure his mum will properly listen to his Pokemon chat!
"Favourite food is a good motivator too, bagels are his top snacks.”
Merlin has been sponsored by lots of school friends and family and has so far raised £550.
His 11th birthday is in November and they have five peaks left to climb, including Scafell Pike and Great End.
They hope to tick more off their list over the summer.
Hester said: “We are really proud of Merlin, his grandma loved the outdoors and so it’s lovely to be able to get outside as a family, climbing these mountains together and remembering her.”
Dad Andrew added: “As a family, we feel so fortunate that mum was able to spend her last days at St Cuthbert’s.
"The care and kindness really helped us at a sad and difficult time.”
Sarah Donkin, a coordinator at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, said: “I’ve worked at St Cuthbert’s for nearly six years now and have never heard of such an amazing challenge being completed by someone so young.
"Those peaks are a challenge for the best of us so to hear he’s taking them all in his stride just blows us away.
"We really are in awe of Merlin and all he has achieved so far."
She added: "Without incredible fundraisers such as Merlin, we wouldn’t be able to provide the level of compassionate care that we do for the many families who need us each year.”
Donations can be made via Merlin’s 10 JustGiving Page
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