Three peak challenge for brave Alfie

Little Alfie Bannister, seven, from Elland, has to take more than 40 tablets a day just to keep him alive and his pancreas doesn’t work, as it is blocked with sticky mucus, which makes it difficult for his body to absorb fat and vitamins.

And the brave youngster, a pupil at Old Earth Primary School, currently has congestion in his right lung, which is difficult to remove even with daily physiotherapy.

Now his family now want to raise £6,000 for a special vest from America, which is unavailable on the NHS, to help him as he battles the condition.

His brothers Tom and Jack Moyers, 24 and 25, and a group of their friends took on the mammoth task of climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in less than 24 hours to help realise Alfie’s dream.

Tom, a roofer, said: “It was hard work, but absolutely brilliant. It was a really brilliant feeling when we finished and an emotional moment at the top. Alfie even chose the name for the group - Alf’s CS Army.”

The money raised from the challenge, which the brothers did with friends Gary Buckley, Max Holmes, Josh Armstead, Willis Nelson and Karl Coulter, has pushed the money raised even closer to their £6,000 goal.

Alfie’s mum Janine, 47, says she has been blown away by the support.

“I’m really overwhelmed,” she said. “They all just really came together and it’s amazing. It’s Alfie’s birthday next week and I’m really hoping we will be able to get the vest as an extra present. It will help him to cough up more of the mucus and hopefully keep him healthier until a cure is found. It will reduce his need for the uncomfortable physiotherapy to clear his chest each day and give him more time to play with his friends.”

You can donate to Alfie’s fund at www.gofundme.com/2377zf64