Thirsk brothers tackle gruelling Ben Nevis climb

Ben and Charlie Holmes have already conquered the country’s second and third highest, Scafell Pike and Snowden, and tomorrow with dad Sean they are climbing Ben Nevis as part of the famous Three Peaks Challenge.

They are among more than 50 fundraisers taking on the event on Saturday in aid of children’s charity Molly Ollys which was set up following the death of eight year old Molly Ollerenshaw from a rare kidney cancer. £3m has been raised in the past ten years supporting children with life threatening illnesses and their families.

Charlie, who attends Thirsk High School, admits he dreams of one day scaling the world’s ultimate peak, Mount Everest. He said: "I have been inspired my dad and now I think it’s important to do it because it inspires other people.

"We are very excited to climb Ben Nevis which will be the hardest one yet but we just want to push ourselves to the limit and see how far we can go. It’s important to get outdoors into the fresh air and try to set a goal that you feel you can achieve."

His brother Ben, from Knayton Primary School, added: "I’m looking forward to getting to the top of Ben Nevis. I’ll be very proud to achieve The Three Peaks. The hardest one I’ve done so far is Snowdon because it was very slippery and wet because there was a lot of rain.

"My advice to other young people who want to do it but are worried is just give it a go. Keep on going and never give up."

It marks a return to Ben Nevis for 36-year-old Sean, who is looking forward to introducing his sons to the 4,400ft Grampian Mountains peak he's already conquered twice.

He said: "I only climbed my first mountain, Scafell Pike, two years ago and it opened up a passion for me so did the other two within a month. The boys saw what I had done and wanted to be a part of that. They are both outdoorsy. 

“We did Snowdon first on a wet Saturday. They were tired and it wasn’t the best conditions but they just kept plugging away. Charlie fell over at one point and wanted to turn around and go back but he carried on. I was immensely proud because they were the two youngest people on the mountain both times.

“Ben Nevis is quite a bit higher and takes longer to climb, it’s about double that of Scafell Pike is. It is quite a slog and you question all the way why you are doing it, but the exhilaration when you get to the top makes it worthwhile.”

To help prepare for the climb, the boys have been making regular trips up Roseberry Topping, often with mum Lucie and little sister Lily.

To donate go to https://www.mollyolly.co.uk/learn-about-donating/