Boy, seven, takes on Three Peaks to help heart charity

Jack, known as “JD” to family and friends, is no stranger to mountain walking but has yet to complete the Three Peaks of Yorkshire, a challenging 25-mile hike which can be completed in under 12 hours.

JD, of Hebden Bridge, already has climbed to the top of 15 mountains, including the highest in Scotland, England and Wales.

On Saturday June 16 he will take part in the Heart Research Three Peaks challenge in memory of his grandmother, Sally, who died, aged 82, following a heart attack last year.

JD, who was very close to his grandmother, wanted to put his walking hobby to good use and decided to raise funds for the Yorkshire-based charity, Heart Research UK, which carries out research into heart disease.

JD said: “I miss my granny. She was so much fun and always wanted to know so much about everything I was doing.

“When I would walk mountains like Scafell Pike, I’d send her pictures of the walk showing her the snow, ice and my freezing daddy. She would phone me when she got them and we would have these very long chats about everything, we would just keep talking and talking.”

His father, Patrick, said: “My mum passing was a sudden loss for us as we were not expecting it. She had a special relationship with JD. He was her youngest grandchild, and she had so much time and love for him. She was a fantastic fund-raiser herself and it looks like JD has inherited those genes. He attempted the Yorkshire Three Peaks last year and managed two of the three peaks, mainly due to the atrocious weather conditions. This year he is determined to conquer all three. I am very proud of him and his achievements.”

On June 16 JD will join hundreds of walkers to set out on the circular route that covers three Yorkshire Dales peaks. Starting at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the walk takes in Pen-y-Ghent followed by Whernside and finishes after the decent down Ingleborough.

Barbara Harpham, of Heart Research UK, said: “With all that walking experience, its sounds like JD will be a step ahead of the rest.”

n To sign up to the event go to www.heartresearch.org.uk