18 PEAK CHALLENGE Hero inspires Alfie (8) to help soldiers
Stu’s story sparks charity climb
An East Kilbride war hero has inspired an eightyear-old boy to climb one of Britain’s highest peaks.
Former Para Sergeant Stuart Pearson – who lost his leg in Afghanistan and was immortalised in the film Kajaki – moved pint-sized hero Alfie McAnespie to climb Mount Snowdon next month to help ex-soldiers.
Alfie hopes to raise enough money so the charity can buy a specialised wheelchair for former Para John Prosser – who was seriously injured after a series of parachute jump hard landings.
Stuart, who scooped our sister paper the Daily Record’s Our Heroes award this year, said: “It was great to meet wee Alfie. I think it’s incredible what he’s doing.
“I climbed mountains with my dad when I was younger, but nothing like Snowdon and not at eight years-old.”
Stuart, a former St Leonards man and ex-pupil of Claremont High, was serving with 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, on September 6, 2006, when he found himself in an unmarked minefield along with several colleagues.
Seven men were seriously wounded in the incident at Kajaki and Scot Corporal Mark Wright was killed.
Stu lost his left leg in the incident.
The 27-year-old was posthumously awarded the George Cross.
He has gone on to be an inspiration to other soldiers injured in the conflict, and was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his extraordinary bravery on that day.
Alfie is climbing Mount Snowdon next month in a bid to raise thousands for soldiers’ charity Help for Heroes.
Stu found out about Alfie’s plans on Twitter and the pair met during a VIP trip to the Houses of Parliament this week.
Alfie’s mum, Anja (44), from Colchester, said: “Stu was just amazing and it has made Alfie even more determined to raise as much money as he can.”
Alfie shot to fame when he became the youngest Help for Heroes fundraiser at the age of just one. As a 16-month-old, he walked one mile unaided and raised £1000 – and was namechecked by Prince Harry and then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Alfie’s local MP Will Quince added: “For such a young guy, Alfie is so passionate about supporting service personnel. He is a credit to his family and to his school.”
To sponsor Alfie, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/ AlfieHeroSnowdon.