Rutland teenager from Uppingham School to tackle virtual Wales 3000 challenge for Age UK
A determined teenager is attempting to climb 15 Welsh mountain peaks spread over 26 miles - all from his home in Rutland.
Toby Coulson, 16, was hoping to tackle the notoriously tough Welsh 3000s in Snowdonia with teachers and pals from Uppingham School this June.
But with a lockdown now in force he has decided to do it by climbing the stairs of his parents’ three storey house 315 times and then running a marathon up and down a village lane.
Toby said he had been inspired first by his housemaster, Jim Reddy, but then by national hero Captain Tom Moore who has raised more than £30 million for the NHS.
He had also followed the story of quadriplegic ex-rugby player Ed Jackson who has climbed the equivalent of Everest at his parents’ home.
“I was so looking forward to doing the Welsh 3000s I just thought ‘why not bring the North Wales mountains to Rutland?’,” said Toby, who is aiming to raise £1,700 for charity Age UK.
“I need to climb to 3,300 metres which I worked out is the same as climbing the stairs to the top of my house 315 times. It should take me about five hours.”
He added: “I picked Age UK because it seemed like something close to so many people’s hearts at the moment. Helping elderly people who are lonely is so important.”
Toby plans to start the climb at the crack of dawn on Friday (May 8), the day before his birthday, followed by a 26-mile run the next day in his home village of Upper Hambleton.
“It’s certainly not how I planned on turning 17, but I hope I’ll be able to celebrate after I’ve finished,” he said.
“Not everyone is happy about it - my older brother Josh is a bit annoyed that I’ll be climbing up and down the stairs because he likes his sleep and he’s quite a grumpy person.
“My mum was a bit worried about the stairs but dad thought it was a good idea. He’s even going to join in with the running. My brother said he would too if I got in the paper and on the radio! I’m sure our labradors Ruddles and Tusi will join in too and I’m hoping people from the village might as well.”
To sponsor Toby visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/virtualwales3000
To view his Instagram video click here
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