A three-year-old boy has completed an extended version of the National Three Peaks Challenge by climbing the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales.
Oliver Tinnion — who lives at Newbiggin, near Stainton, with his mother Claire — has done what many adults would struggle to do by putting his best foot forward to complete the three peaks over a three-week period.
The National Three Peaks Challenge is an event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours.
The total distance walked is estimated at 42 kilometres with a total ascent of 3,064 metres.
Oliver’s amazing effort has already raised £611 – smashing his £550 target, with the money going to Greystoke Primary School where he attends the pre-school.
The first stage of Oliver’s challenge came on a recent holiday to Wales earlier this month, where he and Claire went with a group of friends.
Oliver walked to the summit of Snowdon — the highest peak in Wales — accompanied by his friend and fellow Greystoke pre-schooler Evie Dykes from Motherby along with their mothers, Claire and Lex.
Next on the list was the Lakes’ Scafell Pike — standing at 3,209ft it is England’s highest mountain.
Mother and son scaled the peak going on the corridor route from Seathwaite and enjoyed regular stops along the way cooling down in streams.
The final peak was Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands which Oliver successfully tackled to complete the trio.
Claire said: “It was just amazing the amount of people who spoke to him going up, he’s a chatty little boy and he was so confident telling people what he was doing and where he was going.
“People have this thought that we would have to drag the kids up kicking and screaming but it’s not like that at all. When we got to the top you could see the excitement and achievement on their faces.
“I keep looking back on the pictures and thinking ‘how has this happened?’ — it is really, really extraordinary.
“He just takes it in his stride and has no concept of how amazing he is.”
Greystoke Primary School headteacher Jeanette Matthews added: “This is a wonderful achievement. We are all so proud of Oliver, the determination, perseverance and huge amount of commitment needed to achieve climbing the three peaks is a huge accomplishment for anyone and the fact Oliver is only three indicates this is only the start of incredible things.
“We are extremely thankful that any money raised will go towards our new school playground — a legacy of Oliver’s amazing achievement.”
Donations towards Oliver’s amazing effort can still be made online via the Go Fund Me site here.
