Two Cumbrian teenagers have raised over £2,400 for charity in memory of a close family friend.
Jayden Carruthers, 16, and Jack Cannon, 16, both from Carlisle, took on a fundraising trek of Mount Toubkal in Morocco on Monday April 6.
The pair successfully reached a height of 3,500 metres on the 4,167 metre mountain together with a guide, before a snow storm moved in and stopped them from summiting.
Jayden said the trek was a tough but incredible experience and he is now preparing to return to the mountain in the summer to reach the summit and complete the challenge.
The friends took on the two day long climb in memory of Jayden’s close family friend Selina Scott, who died in 2020 after battling cancer for a year.
Jayden was 10 years old when Selina passed away and he said she was like an aunty to him. He added that she has a special place in his heart.
As a result of their trek, the youngsters managed to raise a whopping £2,400, which will go to the North Cumbria Hospitals NHS Charity to support the cancer care unit at Carlisle Infirmary.
Jack and Jayden delivered the cheque to the cancer care unit in person yesterday and Jayden said the hospital staff were very appreciative of what they raised.
Jayden’s dad Darren and mum Gemma said they were extremely proud of the boys.
Darren added: “Myself and Gemma are extremely proud. We both know Jayden likes the mountains, but we knew his dream was to go higher so we made it happen for him and again and his mam is taking him back in July for a re-do.
“Gemma was speechless when he originally said he wanted to raise money in Selina’s memory as it was such a kind thing for a teenager to come up with off his own back.
“We are both blown away by the kindness that got them to raise as much as they did.
“Jayden will no doubt have his next adventure planned once he has finally completed this one and you never know he could maybe try raise more money again.”
Jayden said he also wanted to thank everyone who donated and supported their trek along the way.
