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Six-year-old raises nearly £30,000 for charity in remarkable Everest climbing challenge
And he's not even done yet.
A six-year-old from Lancashire has already raised nearly £30,000 for charity by setting himself the incredible challenge of climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest.
Didn’t realise heroes came this young.
Oscar Burrow from Lancaster loves climbing, hiking and walking of all kinds — not to mention a bit of “danger” from time to time, according to his dad Matt — so back in October 2022, the incredible little lad set himself the challenge of climbing the equivalent of Everest for a good cause.
As explained in the description of his fundraising page, after learning about the first men to climb Everest (Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay) Oscar decided he wanted to become the youngest person ever to summit the world’s highest point himself, but knew he needed some practice. Cue awesomeness.
With that in mind, the youngster set himself the challenge of climbing the next best thing: a dozen of the UK’s tallest mountains the total elevation of which would match Everest’s 8,849 metres — all in aid of the Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley. What a little legend.
Starting with Inglebrough in the Yorkshire Dales, Oscar has now summited 10 out of the 12 peaks on his list and raised nearly £30k for the local Lancashire charity.
Completing the likes of Scafell Pike, Snowdon, The Old Man of Coniston and more, many of which were done in treacherous conditions, this primary school kid has done what many grown adults are too hesitant to take on.
Citing the likes of Cairn Gorm and Glyder Fawr as some of his hardest simply due to the deep snow and low visibility, Oscar now has two peaks left to go before he reaches the magnificent milestone, having covered countless kilometres and raised enough to send 29 different families on holiday. Incredible.
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Oscar said that aside from challenging himself, he has kept motivated by the goal of “raising money to help support children and their families when they are facing much harder challenges in their lives.”
Derian House cares for more than 400 babies, children and young people with life-threatening illnesses, along with their families, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We couldn’t think of a better cause than that.
As his dad told ITV, everyone is “speechless and couldn’t be prouder”, with the hospice themselves adding, “How many six-year-olds could say that they have climbed the height of Mount Everest? Oscar is an incredible little boy”.
Oscar and his dad are set to complete their remarkable journey on 29 May when they scale the might Ben Nevis on the 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Everest. You can donate to Oscar’s Everest Walk challenge for Derian House fundraiser HERE.
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Featured Image — Oscar’s Everest Walk for Derian House Children’s Hospice (via Facebook)
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Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielder Joe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Gone far too soon. Rest in peace x
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Featured Images — Thompson Family (via Instagram)/Manchester United
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There’s a farm in Greater Manchester where you can meet Lilo and Stitch
Thomas Melia
Any fans of the Disney classic Lilo and Stitch are in luck because there’s a farm in Greater Manchester which is hosting a special meet and greet event.
Who doesn’t love a sci-fi comedy drama film, especially one where the lead character’s sidekick is none other than the adorable little blue experiment with a voice we still imitate to this day?
Originally released in 2002, the Lilo and Stitch film is receiving a live-action version in 2025 and we’re sure to fall in love with Lilo and her little blue fur ball pal over again, 23 years later.
Ahead of the new live adaptation, Cockfields Farm in Greater Manchester is hosting a meet and greet event dedicated to this huge Disney film.
This is the perfect opportunity for little ones and grown-ups alike to come and meet two of their favourite Disney characters while also getting a chance to venture around the farmland as well.
As the event is taking place at a farm, this means that the Lilo and Stitch experience won’t be the only event guests will be able to take part in; there’s also a handful of fun farm-based activities to try your hand at too.
There are tractor rides, a giant bouncy pillow and a carousel running all throughout the day for any kids looking to let off some steam.
And those after a quieter and less energetic itinerary can head on over to the cuddling corner, feed meerkats and handle some reptiles too, this farm is catering for all.
With the meet and greet experience occurring during May, meaning more chance of that gorgeous sunshine, anyone attending is also advised to come dressed in their ‘Hawaiian best’.
Lilo and Stitch are coming for a special meet and greet at Cockfields Farm in Ashton-under-Lyne on 17 and 18 May, with tickets already live HERE.
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Featured Images — Disney
