A SCHOOLBOY has set himself the challenge of climbing the three Yorkshire peaks in memory of his brother. 

Eight-year-old Harry Byrne raised an incredible £38,000  for charity last year, with his seriously ill little brother by his side. 

Now the incredible young carer is determined to climb the three Yorkshire Peaks in Reuben’s memory, and to raise more money for the charities who have supported his family, including Sutton Scotney based Naomi House & Jacksplace.

His brother Reuben, who was born with an extremely rare and complex condition that causes brain deterioration and seizures, passed away just five days before Christmas, aged just 27 months.

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Harry with Reuben and Felix

Despite there being only 20 recorded cases worldwide, it is the same condition that the boys’ older sister Olivia died from nine years ago at the age of eight months.

Along with his mum Sophie, dad Sean and one-year-old brother Felix, Harry will scale more than 7,000ft over three days on his Yorkshire Peaks challenge, from April 11.

Sophie said: “We’d had a lovely last evening together – we couldn’t have planned it better. Reuben had been looking at all the Christmas lights, and Harry and I shared cuddles with him on the sofa while we watched a film together.

“The next morning, Sean went in to check on Reuben and he had passed away. Even though we knew his condition was bad, it shocked us all because he had been doing so well.

"After we told Harry, he came into Reuben’s room and immediately climbed into bed with his little brother and started singing to him and stroking his head. I was there looking at my boys, my heart breaking for them. Tears were running down my face and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from wailing and ruining that moment.

“After about 10 minutes, Harry came off the bed, looked out of the window and said ‘I’m going to climb a mountain for Reuben’.

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Harry with Reuben

“He knows that Sean and I climbed the three national peaks in his sister Olivia’s memory, and he really wanted to do something positive like that for Reu Reu too.”

Last year, Harry took on several fundraising challenges for Julia’s House and Naomi House & Jacksplace, who have provided care and respite for the family in their home and at the charity’s hospices.

With the help of his friends and the local community, the St Michael’s Primary School pupil completed a ‘Race Around the Moon’ distance challenge and a ‘Hospice to Hospice’ hike – his fundraising efforts even earning the attention of national media, with the family appearing on the Russell Howard Hour.

By taking on the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent (2,227 ft), Whernside (2415 ft) and Ingleborough(2,372ft), Harry and his family hope to raise £5,000 for the charities that have supported them: Julia’s House children’s hospice, Naomi House & Jacksplace, Ronald McDonald’s House, SSAFA, Sandcastle Trust and Royal Artillery Charitable Fund.

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Harry with Felix and Reuben 

Sophie, 30, said: “Reuben fought through challenge after challenge and he always managed to smile. That rubs off on you, how resilient he was. I feel like all the miles we walked and taking on this new three peaks challenge is nothing in comparison to what Reuben went through.”

She added: “Reuben taught us all to live in the moment and enjoy the simple things in life. Just holding his hand would make him happy. He didn’t need much – just love and care. I think there’s a lot we can all learn from that.”

Peter Abrahams, head of supporter services at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said: “Harry is an inspiration to me, and to all of us and Naomi House & Jacksplace. His determination, courage and commitment motivated people from across the UK to get involved and support him in his recent challenge to ‘Race Around the Moon’. 

“The money Harry raises helps to make a real difference to the families who use our services. Our hospices support life limited and life threatened children and young adults, as well as their families. Once again, Harry has set the bar high with an amazing fundraising adventure! Harry, we’ll be cheering you along on every step of the way!”

Support Harry and families of life-limited children, by making a donation at: justgiving.com/team/Mountaintrekkes. 

 

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