10 - year-old aims to Finn-ish Snowdon hike for Dad
A 10-year-old boy, from Barnstaple, is to hike up Mount Snowdon to raise money for Help for Heroes and to honour his father who is a Royal Marine.
Finnley Hunter, who will be 11 when the hike takes place on 9 May, will be accompanied by his mum, Rachel, as they participate in the Charity’s Heroes Hike up Yr Wyddfa, the highest peak in Wales.
Rachel explained: “As a proud military family, we’re climbing, not just for the view at the top, but to give back to the brave men and women who serve – and have served – our country, and the families who stand beside them every day.
“And for Finn, it’s about more than reaching the summit: it’s about learning resilience – something that is challenged daily as a military child – compassion and the importance of supporting others.
“We hope to come away from the event having raised awareness for the sacrifices made by our armed forces, and stronger and proud to have made a difference together. As a military family, service and sacrifice aren’t just words to us, they’re part of our everyday life.”
She added: “We know first-hand the strength it takes to serve, and the resilience required from the families who stand behind them. And we also know the sacrifices don’t stop when the uniform comes off; many veterans continue to face physical and mental battles long after their service ends.
“By taking on this challenge together, we’re proud to give back to a charity that supports our armed forces community when they need it most.”
For Finn, it’s an opportunity to show his father – who is often away for months at a time – how proud he is of his dad. He will be undertaking a trek of 20km, to a summit 1,085m above sea level and will be walking for somewhere between six and nine hours.
He said: “My dad is a Royal Marine and he helps protect people, even when it means being away from our family for months. I’m really proud of him because he’s brave and he works really hard at his job: protecting people.
“I want to hike up Snowdon to raise money for Help for Heroes so that soldiers who get hurt can get the help they need. It might be a hard climb for me, but Royal Marines do really tough things all the time, so I want to try my best too.”
Rachel hopes people will sponsor Finn in taking on the challenge and urged other supporters of the armed forces community to don their walking boots and join one of the series of seven hikes created for Help for Heroes.
The series of seven hikes begins with Scafell Pike on 25 April, followed by Snowdon on 9 May, before the Three Peaks Challenge is completed with a visit to Ben Nevis on 6 June – the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.
The focus shifts on 26 July, when the hike is around London, taking in 30 landmark military sights, before walkers leave the city behind for the coast, with a trek of nearly 17 miles (27km) along the stunning Jurassic Coast, in Dorset.
The series then concludes in September, with two hikes in beautiful countryside: on Dartmoor (12th) and in the Lincolnshire Wolds (26th). Each guided hike costs £49 per person, with a suggested fundraising target of £200.
Siobhan Warren, Help for Heroes’ event fundraising manager, said: “This series of seven one-day hikes is more than just a fundraiser for our amazing veterans. They’re an opportunity to reconnect with nature, meet new friends, and feel a real sense of personal achievement.
“Finn and Rachel’s motivation is personal to them; some people walk because they have family members who have been helped by the Charity; while others may be motivated by more prosaic reasons, such as just taking exercise in fresh air, or are simply hikers by nature.
“Whatever the motivation, if you’re looking for an inspiring walking challenge, Heroes Hikes maybe the perfect choice.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Rachel, who added: “Taking part in events like this for Help for Heroes is more than just a personal challenge for people, it’s a chance to stand behind the men and women who have given so much for our country. Every pound raised helps provide vital support to veterans and their families.
“By getting involved, you’re not only pushing your own limits, you’re showing our armed forces community that they are never forgotten and never alone. Why not come and join us?”
Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps people live well after service. The Charity supports veterans and their families with their physical and mental health, as well as welfare and social needs. It has already supported tens of thousands - and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.
The Charity supports veterans from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces.
--- To support Finn’s fundraising, visit bit.ly/40NthTC. To learn more about the Heroes Hikes, visit helpforheroes.org.uk/heroes-hikes. To get support visit helpforheroes.org.uk.
