A PRIMARY school pupil from Berkeley has just climbed his first mountain in a bid to raise money for a cancer charity.

Finley Stone, 10, a pupil at Stone with Woodford Primary School, climbed Wales’s highest mountain, Snowden, with his parents, setting off at 5.45am and completing the challenge in eight hours.

The Snowden climb on May 6 was part of Finley’s pledge to walk the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales this summer to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK.

Finley decided to take on the challenge for family friend Gina Nutley from Cromhall who has breast cancer, and in memory of his grandfather, Martin Brookes, who suffered from cancer and sadly died just four weeks before Finley was born.

For Finley’s mum, Alice Stone, the Snowden walk has been one of immense pride.

Alice said: “Finley did really, really well on his first walk on Sunday.
“He climbed Snowdon with his dad, me and the dog, and we started before it got too hot.”

Finley’s original fundraising target of £500 has already been smashed, with an amazing £1,050 now raised.

To raise even more money, Finley will next walk England’s highest mountain, Scarfell Pike in the Lake District, at the end of May, which he is said to be very much looking forward to.

But what makes the walks even more poignant is that Finley will be completing them using his grandad’s walking stick.

Alice said: “Finley takes the walking stick with him - and he also likes to eat chocolate to keep him going!”

After Scarfell Pike, to complete his fundraising challenge, during the school summer holidays, Finley will be taking on his final climb - Scotland’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Cancer Research UK helps fund research into cures and treatments for cancer.

To make a donation, visit fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/finley-aged-10