Boy, 12, climbs height of Mount Everest in staggering nine-day charity drive
A 12-year-old boy from Herefordshire has climbed the height of Mount Everest in a staggering nine-day charity drive.
Mason, from Hereford, dedicated his entire half-term break to the extraordinary challenge as he scaled the equivalent height of the world’s tallest mountain to raise money for mental health awareness.
He conquered an indoor climbing wall more than 1,100 times across nine days, reaching a cumulative altitude matching Mount Everest at 8,848 metres.
The youngster undertook the gruelling feat in memory of James Plumridge, known as Jamo, who died by suicide last September aged just 22.
Upon finishing his final ascent, Mason said: "I feel like I've achieved quite a lot from it and I just hope it's spread awareness.”
The challenge began on May 23 at Green Spider Climbing in Hereford, where Mason tackled the eight-metre wall 123 times daily until reaching his goal on Sunday, the BBC reports.
He admitted the physical demands tested his resolve throughout the nine-day endeavour.
"I felt quite tired sometimes and felt like I couldn't do it, but I just kept pushing because I was doing it for James," Mason said.
The 12-year-old has been scaling walls since the age of five and currently competes with the 270 Climbing squad based in Gloucester, giving him the experience needed to complete such a demanding undertaking.
Mason's inspiration for the challenge came during a Hereford FC match he attended with his father Rob, where he spotted a scarf honouring Mr Plumridge's memory.
Mr Plumridge was a devoted supporter of the club and his death prompted a wider movement throughout the town aimed at tackling mental health stigma and encouraging open conversations about wellbeing.
The campaign has since grown to include Jamo, a clothing brand established in his honour, which promotes mental health awareness whilst directing a share of its proceeds to charitable causes.
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Mason's personal connection to the cause through football provided the spark for his ambitious climbing endeavour.
Hayden Kirby, who is involved with the Jamo clothing initiative, witnessed Mason complete his challenge and was left astounded by the youngster's stamina.
He said: "What Mason's achieved is absolutely remarkable. I joined him for one climb and I was finished afterwards.”
He recalled struggling to keep pace with the 12-year-old during their shared ascent: "I was halfway up the wall with him when I asked Mason to slow down, but he told me he already was and was waiting for me. He's an incredible young man."
The fundraising effort for Herefordshire Mind through Just Giving has now surpassed £1,400 in donations.
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