AN ADVENTURE loving six-year-old is on a mission to climb 19,000 feet to help people with spinal injuries.
Cian Paton from Salisbury is doing the challenge to raise money for the Spinal Injuries Association.
His challenge was inspired by his father Chris, who is clinical nurse specialist and works with many spinal injury patients, and will be heading off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in June next year as part of a support team for Martin Hibbert - a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017.
A bolt from the explosion went through Martin's spinal cord, leaving him paralysed below the waist. Martin is taking on the challenge of raising £1million for the Spinal Injuries Association (SPI), the organisation that have supported his recovery and gave him the hope, confidence and practical skills to start again.
Cian hopes to climb enough peaks to make up the 19,000ft climb before his dad and the rest of Martin's Mountain team head out to Tanzania.
The Stratford sub Castle Primary School pupil is well on his way, having already conquered the highest peak in Wales, Snowdon (3,560 ft) on June 20, just after his sixth birthday.
He was joined by his parents and says it has been his favourite climb so far with all the lovely views along the way.
Next was Pen-Y-Fan (2906 ft) on July 17. He was joined by his family, including his younger brother Ronan. And on November 6 he added another 896 ft to his total after climbing the the highest point in Wiltshire, Milk Hill.
Cian says climbing mountains is "fun" and when he is older he wants to be an explorer.
The adventurous youngster even got the chance to meet the HRH Princess Anne in London, who is a patron of the Spinal Injuries Association, who he says was "very nice".
Chris, who has done a lot of mountaineering in the past with his wife Sue, says he is a "proud dad" and had a tearful moment watching Cian present flowers to Princess Anne in London.
"To try and raise money for the Spinal Injuries Association is a very valid cause," added Chris, who has seen first hand the difficulties faced by those with spinal injuries.
"Seeing these problem first hand makes you realise how important the SIA is. For Cian to want to get involved and do his bit - he is a little role model."
When he's not climbing Cian likes playing with Lego. But he still wants to climb Mount Kilimanjaro when he's older.
His next climb is going to be Fairy Castle in Ireland with plans to conquer Tryfan in Wales and Helvellyn in the Lake District.
Cian's challenge will be brought to an end with a group climb up Snowdon with Martin and his team, who his dad will be climbing Kilimanjaro with next year.
So far Cian has climbed more than 7,000 feet towards his target.
To sponsor Cian visit: martins-mountain.justgiving-sites.com/fundraising/cians-climb-my19000
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