Climber Cameron completes hike

Climber Cameron completes hike

13 November 2024

A DROMARA boy has completed his goal of climbing the seven highest peaks in the the Mourne mountains before his seventh birthday to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Cameron Thompson recently his final peak, Slieve Commedagh on Saturday, November 2 along with his mum, Natalina.

The charity is close to the family’s heart, as they have lost a relative to pancreatic cancer.

Cameron and his had mum climbed the first few peaks recently with the hopes of collecting money from friends and family, but it was soon recommended that they set up a Just Giving page to reach a wider audience.

“We asked family in Scotland to donate to reach our original target of £200. When we set up the Just Giving page it wasn’t long before we had reached three times our target amount,” says Natalina.

“I was overwhelmed by the generous donations. It shows how loved Cameron is. Family and friends kept sharing, everyone rallied round. It was really touching.”

“Cameron was watching the total. Seeing all the people who had contributed gave him more motivation for the challenge.” 

The community in Dromara have also been showing support, placing charity buckets in local shops and Cameron’s school sharing his climbs on social media.

Before their final climb Natalina was contacted via Just Giving by the Pancreatic Cancer UK fundraising team who offered them fundraising materials, including a personalised T-shirt for Cameron to wear for his last challenge. 

Cameron’s family came from far and wide to cheer him on for his final climb at Slieve Commedagh.

“His papa and grandma from Scotland and his uncle Chris – who inspired Cameron’s love for the outdoors – were all there to support him, as well as aunts and uncles from Mullingar. His classroom assistants from school were at the foot of the mountain too.”

“During the climb hikers even walked past and said, ‘We know who you are’.”

“I loved seeing his little face light up as he ran to the end. I was so proud of him.”

Cameron’s challenge has raised £2,850 so far including Gift Aid, and Natalina would love for the total to reach £3,000.

Natalina wants to thank everyone for the support and to her family who travelled hundreds of miles to see Cameron complete his final climb. 

Cameron will celebrate his birthday in a few weeks’ time and is already looking forward to getting back in the mountains – he plans to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland with his uncle Chris next year.