Boy climbs height of Mount Everest for charity

A 12-year-old boy spent his entire half-term holiday climbing the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest for charity.

Mason, from Hereford, climbed 8,848m over nine days by scaling an 8m indoor climbing wall more than 1,100 times.

He started on 23 May and ascended the wall at Green Spider Climbing in Hereford 123 times each day, until he reached his target on Sunday.

The challenge was completed to raise awareness of mental health issues, in memory of James Plumridge, known as Jamo, who took his own life in September, aged 22.

Speaking to BBC Midlands Today as he completed his final climb, Mason said: "I feel like I've achieved quite a lot from it and I just hope [that] it's spread awareness.

"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 has been climbing since he was five years old and does so competitively for the 270 Climbing squad in Gloucester.

He came up with the challenge after he saw a scarf dedicated to Plumridge while he and his dad Rob were attending a Hereford FC fixture.

The death of Plumridge, a well-known fan of the club, sparked a campaign across the town to raise awareness of mental health issues and the associated stigma.

Hayden Kirby is a member of JAMO – a clothing brand created in Plumridge's memory which raises awareness of mental health issues and donates a portion of its profits to charity.

After seeing Mason complete his challenge, Kirby said: "What Mason's achieved is absolutely remarkable. I joined him for one climb and I was finished afterwards.

"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."

Mason's climbing challenge was aiming to raise money for Herefordshire Mind, via a Just Giving appeal, and he has so far received more than £1,400 in donations.

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