CHILDREN who lost their father last year climbed the highest mountain in Wales to raise over £2,000 for Child Bereavement UK in his memory.

Noah and Holly Hanks reached the top of Snowdon in just three hours, accompanied by their mum Katie.

They decided to take on the 3,560ft challenge after the support they received from Wiltshire Treehouse – a Swindon bereavement service – in the wake of their dad Stuart’s death.

“The children’s dad was super-adventurous and motivated many people to get up and try new things,” Katie told the Advertiser.

“We wanted to try something adventurous while raising funds for Child Bereavement UK, which supported us in our hour of need.

“We wanted to pay it forward to the next family who will need its support.”

Noah, 12, and Holly, nine, who were accompanied by Katie’s partner Steve Boffee, found the climb tough in places but sweets and motivation from their mum kept them going.

They then faced a two-and-a-half-hour descend on the Miners’ Trail.

Stuart was diagnosed with bowel cancer in May 2016 while the family was living in Kansas. The cancer was already well advanced by the time it was detected and he died in January last year.

It was only a few months after the diagnosis and two months after the family had moved back to Wroughton.

The mountain challenge was intended to ensure others received the same support they had.

Katie added: “I want my kids to feel a sense of achievement from what they’ve done and to be proud of this.

“If they can see that as long as they look at life with a positive outlook it will steer them in a good direction.

“It was definitely an experience that was great for our family, we needed something like this.”

Wiltshire Treehouse works in partnership with Child Bereavement UK to provide support and information to bereaved children and young people up to the age of 25, who live, or are educated within the Swindon area.

Every year the UK charity trains more than 9,000 health professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families.

A spokesperson said: “In the UK, when a baby or child dies, or a child is bereaved, many of those affected are unable to access good quality support which meets their individual needs.

“Child Bereavement UK believes all families should have the support they need to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. Our aim is to make sure they do.”

Anyone wanting more information or to talk to one of Child Bereavement UK’s professionally trained support workers can call 0800 02 888 40 between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.