Halifax boy becomes one of youngest in country to complete Yorkshire Three Peaks for charity

Eight-year-old Elliot Gunn scaled the mountains of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent in April as part of a series of challenges he plans to undertake throughout 2021 to raise vital funds for the Yorkshire-based charity.

After deciding he wanted to do something to help poorly children and their families, Elliot began fundraising for Candlelighters in 2019 - a charity that supports families facing childhood cancer across Yorkshire, providing emotional, practical and financial support, as well as funding research into childhood cancers.

With the support of his family and friends, he set up ‘Team Elliot’, recruiting people to join him in his challenges and fundraising endeavours. That same year, Elliot won the ‘Young Fundraiser of the Year’ award at the Candlelighters Awards, recognising his inspirational efforts.

Elliot had originally planned to complete the demanding Yorkshire Three Peaks route last year, but was forced to stop at just under 21 miles of the full 24.5 due to exhaustion.

Not to be beaten, he threw himself into training to be able to return and conquer the whole trek.

Elliot’s dad, Richard, said: "Elliot gave up so much of his time and childhood to achieve this and everyone is so proud of him for even attempting it.

"For over six months, he's trained incredibly hard, through snow and rain to be ready, and has raised over £6,500 for Candlelighters.

"On the day he just kept going and going, never complained, and completed it in 10 hours 20 minutes. He now has a seven mountain challenge planned for Candlelighters later this year."

A spokesperson for Candlelighters added, ‘We couldn’t be more proud of what Elliot has achieved and we are so inspired by his kind spirit and dedication to helping others. After a really tough year and a huge hit to our fundraising, this support from Team Elliot means the world to us and our families."