In 2022, a Co Down schoolboy conquered the biggest mountain in Northern Ireland to support an animal rescue centre, a charity organisation he holds dear to his heart.
This year, Elijah Hewitt from Dollingstown wants to go even bigger and is currently training to climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK.
At just seven-years-old, this will be a massive challenge for Elijah, who attends King's Park Primary School in Lurgan.
Read more: NI schoolboy writes and publishes his first book at age of seven
It comes just weeks after the talented youngster published his first novel on Amazon. He started writing his debut book, The Clue-jitsu Masters: and the Missing Map, last October and published it on Amazon just before Christmas.
Elijah was inspired to raise more money after he adopted a puppy, Scamper, from Almost Home Animal Rescue (NI) in Moira last October. He fell in love with Scamper instantly and the two became firm friends. Scamper will also be going to Ben Nevis, which will most definitely be the biggest walk of his entire life to date!
However, Elijah recognised that the centre needed lots of food, bedding and medicine to look after the 300+ animals still there, and decided he wanted to try and raise some money to support them.
Elijah's mum Jo told Belfast Live: "He raised quite a bit of money last year for Almost Home, a charity he cares very much about. Both me and my husband volunteer there a little, and last October we adopted our dog Scamper from it.
"As it was approaching Christmas, Elijah set to work making Christmas decorations. Using reclaimed wood, he worked at painting and selling over 80 decorations including foxes, bears and pinwheels. He sold them all and raised a massive £500 for Almost Home."
Almost Home is an established animal welfare charity and recently made headlines when they took in a number of puppies seized at Belfast Port in December.
Jo added: "Elijah wanted to ‘go big’ this year and aims to raise more money for the same charity by attempting to walk Ben Nevis. He hopes to make £672.50 - 50p for each metre he will be climbing. He knows it is ambitious, but with his friend Scamper at his side, he thinks he can do it!
"The money raised will go directly to Almost Home. The centre was started by Karen Matthews and is run with a big team of volunteers. It is 100% funded from public donations, and so work like Elijah’s can make a big difference."
If you would like to support Elijah (and Scamper) on their adventure you can donate to their fundraising appeal here.
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