Oscar, 6, climbs 12th peak for poorly children
A SIX-year-old boy who went viral for attempting to climb 12 of the highest mountains in the UK to help “poorly children to go on holiday” has completed his final hike.
Oscar Burrow, from Lancaster, reached the top of Ben Nevis on Monday after around four and a half hours.
Over nine months, Oscar has climbed mountains including Snowden, the highest in Wales, and Scafell Pike, the highest in England. He has raised more than £34,000 so kids can spend time at lodges at Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley.
Oscar’s dad Matt, 38, said after the successful summit: “We tied some balloons to them [Oscar and his friend Ollie Perkins, seven] and because they were so high up, people were commenting, ‘We’ve been watching your balloons work their way up the mountain and following them’.
Matt said that it was “challenging” to get down as it was very steep.
He said Oscar found “his favourite stick” at the top of Ben Nevis. He has collected souvenirs from previous climbs, including a cheese-shaped stone.
Oscar’s favourite moments include taking on Glyder Fawr in Snowdonia because “it was really steep and you have to climb up sections with your hands” and making a giant snowball on Cairn Gorm in Scotland.
The mountaineering pursuit was inspired by Oscar’s aim to become the “youngest person to climb Mount Everest”, with Matt instead coming up with the idea for his son to take on 12 mountains at the combined height of Mount Everest, to satisfy the youngster’s’s ambition.
May 29 was chosen for the adventure finale as it marked the 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
Matt said: “It is amazing to see how many people have supported Oscar throughout the journey.” He added that the whole family were “immensely proud” of Oscar, who wants to continue fundraising challenges. Matt added: “He’s stuck with it when it’s not gone well and shown masses of maturity and resilience.”
To donate, search justgiving.com for Oscar’s Everest Walk.