Steven Brown might be only seven but he has just rewritten the record books after climbing the highest mountains in three different countries in less than 24 hours.
At just over 4ft tall, the primary school pupil has scaled the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales – a total height of 3,408 metres.
Steven is believed to be the youngest person to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in less than 24 hours and even ran part of the way.
Joined by his mother, Caroline, a chip shop owner, his challenge began on the 1,344-metre Ben Nevis in the early evening of Friday 27 May, returning to the base in Fort William after four hours and 45 minutes.
They then travelled to Scafell Pike in the Lake District. They began climbing in darkness at just after 3am and were done within three hours and 45 minutes.
The final peak, Snowdon, was tackled the following day and was completed in three hours and 19 minutes, with the boy said to have finished in fine fettle.
His mother said: “He slept the whole way between the peaks in the car, and ran back down Snowdon to make it under 23 hours. He wasn’t moaning or tired, he was just great.”
Steven, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, started walking with his great-grandfather around reservoirs and was five when he completed his first five-mile walk.
“He just loves it,” said Caroline.
The pair finished the challenge in 22 hours and 54 minutes, just over an hour inside the 24-hour limit. They even stopped at each summit to pose for pictures, and were joined by their 16-week-old spaniel Rosie on the climb up Scafell Pike.
The challenge was completed in aid of Derian House children’s hospice, which offers care and support for young people with life-threatening illnesses. Steven raised more than £560.
Caroline added: “He wanted to do it for a children’s charity, and somewhere local so he could go down and see what they do. Until now the youngest to climb the three peaks was eight years and three months, so Steven is now the youngest to do it. We hope to raise around £2,500 by the time all the sponsorship comes in, and I am so proud of him.”
The youngster goes walking most weekends with his mother and their two dogs, and sometimes his father, Nicholas, and his four-year-old sister Jessica.
Steven plans to climb the Yorkshire three peaks next year.
