Frankie’s Moving Mountains once again!
Eight-year-old boy climbing Mount Everest, six months after his record-breaking summit of Mount Olympus.
In April 2024, eight-year-old Frankie McMillan from West Cumbria will almost certainly be the highest child in the world, as he climbs to Everest Base Camp in his latest mountaineering fundraiser.
So unusual is his feat at his young age, it has been difficult to get the kit he needs for such altitude; for example, the type of clothing suitable for Everest treks simply are not made in his small size!
But this wonderkid is no stranger to extraordinary summits, becoming the youngest Briton ever to reach the very top of Mount Olympus, the Mountain of the Gods, at the age of just seven last September. That involved a three-day climb to 2,918 metres (9,573 feet) with a kilometre of near-vertical ascent and descent on ropes – and he raised more than £3,000 for his local Mountain Rescue Team.
Now, in a video announcement made on his eighth birthday, he is moving mountains again and pulling his fundraising boots back on, setting his sights even higher and this time raising money for critically ill children.
Just two months after his birthday, Frankie will hike into the heart of the Himalayas on an 11-day trek to reach Everest Base Camp, at an ear-popping 5,364 metres (17,598 feet).
For context, that’s roughly six times higher than England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike. It’s a tough challenge both physically and mentally, and only a tiny handful of children have ever set foot in the Camp.
But Frankie is well prepared for it. He has been climbing mountains since he was three, has bagged all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District, and conquered Olympus even in significant heat. This time he will be heading into changeable temperatures with warm days but extremely cold nights, and the trek includes time to acclimatise to temperature and altitude to keep him safe and well. And he will be climbing with his mother, Basia, a highly experienced climber, mountain leader, and mountain rescue volunteer.
“Climbing Everest is my biggest dream, and the whole of the wall next to my bed is a picture of it,” said Frankie. “But my Mum says I’m too small to go the very top, so Base Camp will have to do for now.”
Frankie will climb through glaciers and past lakes, among the world’s highest peaks.
Because he is making his wish come true, Frankie wants to help other children make their wishes come true despite suffering critical conditions.
He is raising money for Make-A-Wish, a foundation that brings moments of joy and precious memories to children whose lives are limited or even threatened by serious illness. He plans to raise £5,364 – a pound for every metre of height to reach Base Camp.
