Eight-year-old Alessandro Rolfe is on a mission: to conquer Mount Snowdon this month.
He may live in the flattest part of the country, honing his skills at Clip ‘n’ Climb in Cambridge – but Alessandro’s determined to complete his epic ascend to raise money for seriously sick children.
The Ely boy’s been fundraising for children’s causes each year since he was four – and this time, he’s chosen Welsh charity Tŷ Hafan, which offers palliative care for terminally ill kids and their families.
Alessandro told Spotted in Ely: “I wanted to raise money for poorly children and their families.”
On May 31 he and his dad, Chris Rolfe, plan to climb Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level.
Alessandro’s mum, Emanuella, and sister Flavia, two, will catch the Snowdon Mountain Railway, joining the others at the summit for a well earned treat.
Alessandro said: “I’m looking forward to the cafe at the top.”
A year three student at The Lantern School, he hopes to raise at least £250 for Tŷ Hafan.
£57 pays for two hours of physiotherapy to ease the pain children and young people experience as a result of their conditions.
£184 pays for a specially trained nurse to care for a child at the hospice throughout the night, allowing parents to get a good night’s sleep.
Chris said: “Alessandro tries and does a sponsored event each year to raise money for a children’s charity. Other years he has done cycle rides and walks to raise money for EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices) and also the Teenage Cancer Trust”.
In 2015, at the age of just five, Alessandro fundraised for Tŷ Hafan, walking up Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons – the highest peak in South Wales, rising to 886m above sea level.
Alessandro said: “I have always wanted to go up Snowdon and as we are there on a holiday, I thought it would be good to do something for Tŷ Hafan again.”
You can sponsor Alessandro here.
