Young hiker embarks on mountain challenge to honour friend’s life

NOAH, a 10-year-old with a big heart and an adventurous spirit, is on a mission to honour his late best friend, Callum, by scaling the highest peaks across England, Scotland, Wales and Germany.

Funds raised during the remarkable challenge, dubbed ‘Noah’s 4 in 2024’, will be donated to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, where Callum spent time before he died, and the Brain Tumour Charity.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices support families with a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved, across south-west London, north-west London and Surrey.

Noah has already completed Scafell Pike in June, along with his parents and his five-year-old brother, as well as Ben Nevis. He now has Snowdon in his sights to conquer at the end of July and Mount Brocken, the highest peak in Northern Germany, in August.

While reading the Science and Nature magazine, Noah came across an article about a boy with a brain tumour who raised money for charities, sparking the idea for his fundraising feat.

Noah said:

“It reminded me of what Callum had and I thought, I want to do something like this to help. Callum was a very smart friend. He loved maths. He and I would talk about square roots when we would talk about multiplying and dividing. He was amazing at it. We had a nickname for him, we called him the human calculator. Some people don’t always get a perfect life. Do what you can to try and help them.”

Callum’s family said:

“We are so grateful to Noah and his whole family. Noah is an incredible young man, who has shown maturity way beyond his years. The depth of caring is shown through his desire to turn grief into something constructive that can help others in similar situations. Callum was the loveliest boy you could ever meet. His beautiful, handsome face, mirrored by his wonderfully caring and sensitive nature, is seen in his special friendships with both girls and boys. He loved school, cuddles (especially with mummy and his cat Belle), playing board games with his family, acrobatics, bat-and-ball sports, and goofing around with his big sister. He was a little maths genius, who was always happy to lend a hand to his fantastic school buddies and had dreams of becoming a robotic engineer.”

Noah’s commitment also extends beyond the physical challenge. He is growing his hair to donate it to be made into a wig for a person with cancer.

Noah’s dad, Phil, who has been supporting his journey through the logistics and emotional challenges, said:

“I am incredibly proud of him. I’m lost for words to be honest with you.”

To support Noah on his remarkable journey, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/4qsdmk-callum.