Hatfield Peverel boy, who's parents were told he may never walk, raises £2,000 for charity
Jacob Tompkins conquered Mount Snowden to raise the money
Last updated 30th May 2023
A seven-year-old boy from Hatfield Peverel has climbed Mount Snowden with his family, raising over £2,000 for charity.
Inspirational Jacob Tompkins climbed to the summit of Snowden with his mum Abbie Tompkins and grandad James Tompkins earlier this month, for a charity that once supported him.
Jacob was once described as a miracle baby, after he was stillborn with asphyxia, a severe brain injury, but survived.
He defied the odds, being able to walk, after his parents Abbie and Laura were told he may never do so, after it took doctors 22 minutes o resuscitation to get Jacob breathing.
Mount Snowden is not Jacob's first charity challenge, having previously undertaken a 50-mile charity run and fundraising bike ride last year too.
Jacob managed to climb the highest mountain in Wales in seven hours with his family, reaching a height of 3,560ft.
Proud parents Abbie and Laura said: “Jacob absolutely smashed it! We’re just so proud of him.
“We all made sure he was well looked-after and supported during the day, and he was just smiling and enjoying himself the whole time. He’s completely fine and was running about playing football a few nights later!
“The whole experience was amazing and the views across Snowdonia were incredible. We’d just like to thank everyone who has donated so far – every pound will make a big difference.”
Jacob's raised the money, over £2,000 for The Dream Factory, which fulfils wishes for children and young adults with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions or severe disabilities. Jacob is an ambassador for the charity which helped him visit Lapland UK in 2021.
Jacob told Greatest Hits Radio "It was really high up when we got to the top. It looks like the tips of the Ice Cream cones!
"It looks all like clouds, not really far from the ground."
After receiving a trip to Lapland from The Dream Factory, Jacob wants to help others who may also benefit from the services that The Dream Factory can provide.
"I feel like I want to raise money for them, for them to have better and bigger lives."
Jacob was supported in his Snowdon trek by local company County Broadband which donated hundreds of pounds worth of climbing gear and equipment and distributed thousands of leaflets to help spread awareness of the charity climb.
Sid Verrier, regional sales manager at County Broadband, based in Aldham, Essex, said: “Jacob is a huge inspiration to everyone here at County Broadband and we would like to send our heartfelt congratulations to him and his amazing family who supported him every step of the way to reach the summit of Mount Snowdon.
“As a local community provider, as soon as we heard about Jacob’s challenge, we wanted to support any way we could. We loved meeting up with Jacob and donating climbing gear for his trek, and we have also match-funded £500 to help reach his target for The Dream Factory.”