Corby schoolboy steps up to take on Three Peaks in his socks - without leaving home

A Corby schoolboy has taken steps to fundraise for a dementia charity by tackling one of Britain's toughest mountain challenges - in just his socks and without even leaving his house.

Oliver Williams, who has already scaled the height of Mount Snowdon in Wales, is currently taking on Ben Nevis and will tackle Scafell Pike by completing the ascents' equivalent distance up the stairs.

The 13-year-old wanted to keep fit ready for the football season and also raise money for a charity close to his heart, in memory of his two great grandmothers who died of dementia related illnesses.

It was after Oliver climbed the real Snowdon last August with his family that he got the idea for the indoor challenge.

Mum Karen said: "This started last August when we climbed Snowdon. Oliver loved it and really couldn't wait to do it again.

"He plays football for Corby Hellenic Lyons, under 13s, and his coach had mentioned to the boys that they needed to keep their fitness up during lockdown, so Oliver decided to climb the same amount of steps as it takes to climb Snowdon on our stairs at home.

"He realised by doing this he might be able to raise some money for charity, so he chose Dementia UK, in memory of his two great nans, who sadly passed away from dementia."

His Covid-compliant fundraiser means he is still following government guidelines by staying at home.

Counting the steps up Oliver has calculated that by running up the stairs three times a day for three weeks he would have covered the 7,120 steps required to ascend Snowdon.

Setting his sights on Britain's highest peak, Oliver has now risen to the challenge of Ben Nevis with another staircase stepathon of 8,810 strides. He will finish the indoor peaks with Scafell Pike, a lowly 6,180 steps.

Oliver lives in Great Oakley with brother George, dad Simon and mum Karen, who have been cheering him on his way.

She added: "We are very proud of him. Right now, he is doing Ben Nevis and when that is done he will go straight onto Scafell Pike. It makes us laugh and we always cheer him on when we hear him doing it and count down with him how many are left

"He hopes to complete the challenge before he can return to football training once more. He has worked out he has to run up and down the stairs eleven times, three times a day to get it all done.

"It doesn't sound that hard but having done it myself last October for the NSPCC, I know how tired my legs were towards the end and I only did Snowdon.

"He also wants to try Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike too in real life when he can do so."

To donate to Oliver's indoor Three Peaks challenge click here.