Scaling great heights for good

Six-year-old Oscar Burrow climbs the equivalent of Mount Everest to support services of Derian House Children's Hospice.

After learning about Sir Edmund Hilary at school, Oscar decided he wanted to be the youngest person ever to climb Mount Everest. To help train for such an ambitious expedition, he decided to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest (8,849 metres) across 12 mountains.

Taking on this challenge made Oscar want to support those “facing much harder challenges in their lives” and inspired him raise money for “poorly children to go on holiday”. In doing so, he raised £35,000 for Derian House, who work to support families during the end of a child’s life.

His journey included the highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon (954m) and the highest mountain in England, Scarfell Pike (955m). But he saved the toughest of them all for his final climb. Towering at 1,345 metres tall, Ben Nevis is the largest mountain in the UK and is a tricky task for even the most seasoned hiker.

Oscar made it to the top on 29th May 2023, the same day as the 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Hilary. Reaching the summit and smashing his fundraising target called for celebrations with balloons and handmade rosettes.

His family and friends joined him to climb in all conditions, from sunshine and showers to snow and ice. Oscar’s mum Kim said:

We’re immensely proud of Oscar and what he’s achieved. Giving us our time for this challenge is nothing in comparison to the help that families get from Derian House and knowing that the money we raise will go to help them create precious memories together on holiday makes it all worthwhile.

The £30,000 will allow families to stay at Derian House’s holiday lodges for free, on what could be their last holiday together. The additional money raised will go towards helping to run the hospice’s hydrotherapy pool.

About the holiday lodges

In March, Oscar was invited to re-open one of the lodges at Ribby Hall Holiday Village after it was refurbished thanks to fundraising efforts.

At the ribbon cutting Oscar said: “I really liked looking around the lodges and I’m glad that so many families will be able to have happy times there.”

Derian House have four lodges in the North West which they offer to families as a place for them to make precious memories together.

The lodges all have an electric medical bed and hoist, a fully adapted wet room with a shower chair, and are wheelchair friendly. It costs £1000 to send a family on a free holiday for a week, which means Oscar’s amazing fundraising will pay for an entire season of summer holidays.

Karen Edwards, Chief Executive at Derian House said:

“Our holiday lodges are an incredible facility that enable our families to take a break, have fun, and make memories. It is only down to the generosity of our incredible supporters – like Oscar and his family – that we are able to do this and we’re so grateful.”

About Derian House Children’s Hospice

Derian House provides respite and end-of-life care for more than 400 children and their families from across Lancashire and South Cumbria. They help them to make happy memories together in a fun and dignified environment. All their services are free for the families, but it costs £6 million to run every year. The charity of supporters like Oscar means they can continue their vital work.

To find out more about Derian House: www.derianhouse.co.uk

To make a donation: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oscar-burrow1