Boy, five, to complete Three Peaks Challenge with father for Prostate Cancer UK
Jasper Dunsmore and his father Peter, 30, from Norfolk, hope to reach the summit of their final mountain – Ben Nevis – on Saturday.
A five-year-old boy is set to complete the Three Peaks Challenge – an “adventure” he took on with his father to support Prostate Cancer UK.
Jasper Dunsmore and his father Peter, 30, from Norfolk, hope to reach the summit of Ben Nevis, in the Scottish Highlands, on Saturday after successfully climbing Scafell Pike, in the Lake District, and Snowdon, in Snowdonia, earlier in the year.
They will begin the walk up the Scottish mountain at roughly 5am, and will give themselves 12 hours to finish it.
The pair completed the Scafell Pike hike on March 31, with one of the standout moments being when Jasper was given a medal by a woman also climbing the mountain, which he spoke about during a show-and-tell at his school.
This was followed by a presentation on the highest mountains in Wales and Scotland, which initiated the “father-son adventure” of taking on the Three Peaks Challenge.
“That’s what really sparked his interest,” Mr Dunsmore told the PA news agency. “He came home saying: ‘Can we go and do Snowdon?’.”
They then climbed Snowdon on May 25, playing games and trying not to step on the cracks on the way.
Jasper’s grandfather – Peter Dunsmore, 62, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year – has been at the heart of the challenge.
Jasper’s grandfather had surgery to remove his prostate last year and recently received a second negative result for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, indicating he is now cancer free.
“He’s alright,” Mr Dunsmore said. “He’s been the motivation to get this going.”
The duo have been raising money for Prostate Cancer UK through the feat, with their target – which was initially set at £500 – now having surpassed £4,500.
Mr Dunsmore said: “I set the £500 target and put it out for friends and family and never anticipated it being shared as widely as it has done.
“I think naively I didn’t realise quite how much prostate cancer has affected so many people that I know just haven’t spoken about it.”
Now, Mr Dunsmore said he hopes to raise £5,000, adding his father is proud of the progress made by the fundraiser.
“He’s been a bit blown away by the support,” Mr Dunsmore said.
Jasper’s grandparents have been checking the fundraising page every day to see the progress and are “immensely proud of Jasper”, he added.
When the father and son duo reach the summit of Ben Nevis, they have plans to unfurl a Prostate Cancer UK banner.
“When we get to the summit, I’ve got a Prostate Cancer UK banner to hold up for all the fundraising we’ve been doing,” Mr Dunsmore said.
“Jasper’s got a wristband, I’ve got a wristband, my dad’s got a wristband that’s all matching, and a set of badges.
“I’m hoping, if there’s a good enough signal at the summit, to be able to call my dad because obviously we’ve been raising money for him.”
Jasper is enthusiastic about a “boys’ weekend” with his father, while his father hopes to make many more memories with his son on the final leg of the challenge.
“The thing I’ve realised from the beginning though, there’s not a case of getting up and down as quick as we can,” Mr Dunsmore said.
“We spend a whole day on each one, and enjoy making memories together.
“It’s just a father-son adventure. I hope that’s a core memory that will continue to grow and develop.”
Seren Evans, head of events and community fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “This is a such a heartwarming story and we’re so proud of Jasper and Peter for taking on this epic challenge to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK.
“Peter’s story illustrates just why more men need to be aware of the risk of prostate cancer. Men are at higher risk if they are over 50, black or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer. Anyone with concerns should visit the charity’s online risk checker.”
Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said: “Jasper is an absolute superstar.
“For someone so young Jasper has shown an incredible amount of determination and generosity towards helping people who, like his grandfather, have been affected by prostate cancer.
“From everyone at JustGiving we wish Jasper and his dad, Peter, the very best of luck in completing the last peak in their challenge.”
Jasper’s fundraising page can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jaspers-and-my-three-peak-adventure-for-grandad–68792
