A dad built a seven-foot snowman on top of a mountain to raise awareness of a condition which "robbed" him of two children.
Inspired by the 1982 animated classic The Snowman, the creation will have been spotted by many people on Friday who decided to take a hike up Snowdon in North Wales.
It marked the end of a huge fundraising challenge by dad Andy Rooke, from Prenton, who has been raising money for Claire House, reports NorthWalesLive.
READ MORE: Creamfields goer, 33, 'wrote his will' after fake psychic's chilling prediction
Andy and Sarah Rooke's son Charlie, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Respiratory Depression (SMARD) in November 2019, but sadly died on February 25, 2020.
SMARD is an inherited condition that causes muscle weakness and respiratory failure typically beginning in infancy.
The couple had tragically lost their unborn son Thomas a few months before to the same condition.
The dad-of-two heaped praise on the staff at Claire House who went "above and beyond" for their boy as he neared the end of his life.
He said: "Claire House basically helped us make memories after we got that devastating diagnosis. They arranged to bring the beach to Charlie in his ward and they also sorted out a swimming experience in their hydro pool and a trip to Blue Planet Aquarium.
"The end of life care they provided was fantastic. We didn't want Charlie to die on a critical care ward and they continued to look after us even after he passed away."
Andy wanted to be able to give something back and also make sure that Charlie was never forgotten.
He has since carried out a mega mission to raise funds for Claire House Children's Hospice that allowed their family to enjoy the time they had left with their son.
He said: "I knew I had to do something.
"This disease has robbed me of two children and the team at Claire House made the whole process that little bit easier."
In a take on the Three Peaks challenge, the trained mountain rescuer travelled to Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in February and set out to build a replica of Charlie's favourite film character that each turned out to be around six or seven foot tall (depending on available snow).
He said: "The Snowman film became a big part of our lives whilst Charlie was in hospital. We'd sit and watch it every day without fail because he just loved the classical music, it brought a twinkle to his eyes.
"Claire House actually managed to have it ready for him to pass away with the Snowman playing. It's one of the things that continue to keep us connected to Charlie."
The challenge ended at the top of Snowdon on Friday, exactly two years on from Charlie's passing.
Andy, who volunteers with the Flintshire-based North East Wales Search and Rescue Team, said: "We originally wanted to do this in 2021 but Covid got in the way and it was deferred to this year.
"There was a very small weather window with all the storms we have had in recent days. It just so happens the perfect day and conditions fell on the Friday which was Charlie's anniversary. I'm adamant that its a bit more than coincidence that happened."
After each build, Andy takes away the non-natural accessories and allows the Snowman to melt away, just like in the film.
So far, the fundraiser has generated over £18,800 for the hospice.
If you are able to support Andy, please click here.
