AN 'INSPIRATIONAL' youngster from Larkhill has fulfilled a promise to his baby brother after completing a three peaks challenge in his memory. 

Harry Byrne scaled more than 7,000ft to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge last month.

The eight-year-old vowed that he was “going to climb a mountain for Reuben” after his two-year-old brother died before Christmas last year.

Salisbury Journal:

Harry says he was "really happy" about completing his climb and "just thought of Reuben".

He also said he enjoyed taking on the challenge but "it was hard" especially with the cold weather, snow and hail and strong winds.

"I liked getting to the top," added Harry, whose challenge has so far raised more than £2,700 for Julia’s House children’s hospice and Naomi House & Jacksplace, plus four other charities who have supported the family. 

Harry led the gruelling three-day climb with his dad Sean close behind him, and mum Sophie joining for two of the days with his one-year-old brother Felix in a carrier.

His mum Sophie said: "It was quite a nice challenge to do as a family and to reflect, and reminisce on our memories of Reuben."

Harry’s nanny, Helen Bishop, and her partner Glenn Williams, also joined in with Harry’s friend and her family joining for part of the challenge.

“When we finally reached the end of day three, Harry was so happy that he’d completed the challenge and had fulfilled his last promise to Reuben. He was running around, just overjoyed," said Sophie.

“It was harder than we could ever have imagined, but we knew it was nothing compared to what Reuben went through in his short life.”

After a year of fundraising across Wiltshire and beyond, including a Race Around the Moon distance challenge and a Hospice to Hospice Hike, the St Michael’s Primary School pupil has now raised an incredible £41,000 in total for charity.

“We can’t believe how much he’s raised really, and we’re so thankful to everyone who has donated to support the charities,” added Sophie. “In the future, I think doing these challenges will really help Harry because he can look back and talk about these experiences and the memories he’s made. He’s done it all for Reuben and to help his legacy live on.”

Reuben was born with an extremely rare and complex condition that causes brain deterioration and seizures.

Despite there being only 20 recorded cases worldwide, it is the same condition that the boys’ older sister Olivia died from nine years ago at the age of eight months.

Reuben passed away just five days before Christmas, at the age of 27 months.

“Harry wasn't just Reuben's brother, he was also a fantastic young carer,” said Sophie. “When Reuben had a seizure, he would hold his oxygen and tell him, ‘it’s okay Reu Reu.’ It all came so naturally to him and Reuben was always so happy in the arms of his big brother.”

She said, “I can remember walking in the woods with Harry one day and he told me, ‘I want to take Reuben’s condition from him and have it instead, so he can have a happy life.’ He takes your breath away with his kindness and we’re so incredibly proud of him.”

Julia’s House Sibling Worker Tracey Griffin, who will be supprting Harry in the coming years, added: “Harry’s an inspirational young boy with such a generous-hearted spirit. He’s adventurous and courageous and so full of compassion for others. I’m beyond pleased for Harry that he completed his mountain challenge in memory of his beautiful brother, Reuben.

"On behalf of everyone at Julia’s House, I can’t thank Harry and his family enough for their phenomenal fundraising efforts, and supporting our care for seriously ill children and families like theirs.”

He took on the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent (2,227 ft), Whernside (2415 ft) and Ingleborough (2,372ft) over three days from April 11. 

Money raised will also go to Ronald McDonald’s House, SSAFA, Sandcastle Trust and Royal Artillery Charitable Fund.

Sophie has thanked everyone who has supported Harry and the family. She said: "From the bottom of our hearts we are really grateful for the continued support that we have received in messages and donations."

To make a donation visit Harry's Justgiving page.

 

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