Tom Fryers on the summit of Wansfell

Tom Fryers on the summit of Wansfell

A six-year-old has become the youngest to summit all 214 Wainwright peaks in the Lake District.

Tom Fryers, who almost died at birth because of breathing problems, also raised more than £5,000 during his effort. The cash will go to the Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust and Community Action Nepal.
 
Tom, of Penistone, South Yorkshire, completed his Wainwright round on 487m (1,597ft) Wansfell, overlooking Ambleside, last August, the day after tackling Lingmell, Seathwaite Fell, Great End, Scafell Pike, Scafell and Slight Side, involving 24km (15 miles) of walking and 1,830m (6,000ft) of climbing. His efforts have won him a place in the record books.

Part of Tom’s charity haul will go to the special-care baby unit in the Jessop Wing and the feto-maternal assessment unit in Sheffield, where he spent time after his birth.

His father Paul said: “Tom started his life at the Jessop Wing. He was born with complications and doctors were concerned that he would not fully recover.

“Tom had a very traumatic start to his life, but after receiving such fantastic care at the hospital, he went on to make a full recovery. We wanted to raise money for the two units to show our appreciation to all the staff who work there and to help other families in similar circumstances.

“So far we have raised £2,249.73 for the charity and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored Tom and helped us achieve this.”

Tom himself says on his fundraising website: “When I was born, I was very poorly indeed and the doctors did not think that I would be able to recover fully.

Tom Fryers

Tom Fryers

“However, with the help of the doctors and nurses at the Jessop Wing, I did recover and I am very lucky to be able to run around and climb mountains. My older sister Catherine was not so lucky: she was born very prematurely and died when she was only two days old, but she and my Mummy were looked after very well in the Jessop hospital.”

Accepting Tom’s cheques, Dr Vincent Kirkbride, consultant neonatologist at the Jessop Wing, said: “I would like to thank both Tom and his father Paul for all their hard work in completing this amazing challenge.

“Their efforts really are appreciated by everyone here at the hospital. The money they have raised will be used to help other children and families who are experiencing the same problems. Donations such as these ensure that we can continue to provide excellent care and support for our patients, within a service that remains second to none.”

Tom’s first Wainwrights were the Langdale peaks of Loft Crag and Pike o’Blisco, climbed in October 2005 when he was 3½ years old. The round of the Wainwrights comprises the 214 peaks described in his celebrated series of Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells.

Community Action Nepal is the charity founded by mountaineer Doug Scott to provide clean water, schools and healthcare for the mountain dwellers of Nepal.

The justgiving website for Community Action Nepal has so far brought in more than £3,000 and the one for Sheffield Hospitals Charitable Trust more than £2,300.