Hersham 9-year-old youngest ever to climb 15 peaks in day

Hersham's Millie Goad completed the amazing feat by climbing 15 peaks over 3,000 feat tall in Wales last month, all the while raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process.

Millie completed the 'Welsh 3000s Challenge' in just 23.5 hours, breaking the age record set by Lola House, who was 10 at the time she took on the challenge.

In doing so she set a new record and raised well over £3,000 for Macmillan too.

"We are amazed at Millie’s determination and strength of spirit," said Sophie Goad, Millie’s mum.

"Everyone thought she was crazy and would never achieve this feat.

"But there was no way Millie was going to let this go, and her dad encouraged her all the way through!" She added.

Millie and her dad James after 24 hours of climbing. Images via Macmillan

The group fundraising with Millie set out on their expedition, which included the summit of Mt Snowdon, on June 19, and 23.5 hours later they arrived at the 15th and final summit of Foel Fras.

Millie was joined throughout by her dad, James Goad, and accompanied on the first two sections by her brother, Max (11), and friends Tom Lawrence (44) and his son, Jake (10).

"This was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done," said Millie. "However, I loved doing the challenge and even the training.

"The views were amazing and I even enjoyed spending time with my brother," the young Hersham mountaineer added.

At the peak of one of the 15 mountains climbed by Millie and the team on June 19

"It was definitely scary walking across the mountains in the dark. Especially in the cloud when we could hardly see anything and I was worried we would get lost.

"I was so tired during the last three peaks I kept falling asleep on my feet and it felt like a dream.

"But the hardest bit was saying goodbye to my Mum at the second checkpoint because my feet hurt so much and I just wanted to go to bed..."

The climbs totalled some 4,000 metres put together, wile the total walking topped 30 miles. Millie's Fitbit clocked a staggering 121,000 steps on the 24 hour challenge.

Dad James described how his daughter, like most climbers, had cultivated a "love affair" with the mountains that helped her complete the arduous challenge.

"Millie’s love affair for the mountains started two years ago when we scrambled up Tryfan in Wales," said Millie’s dad, James.

"Then during the lockdown she read about the Welsh 3000s challenge and realised that if she was able to complete it this year she would become the youngest girl ever to do so."

Millie for her part said that she did the climbs for both herself and others, including for her paternal grandmother who sadly passed away with cancer before she was born.

"I never met my (paternal) grandma, as she passed away with cancer before I was born.

"I wanted to do something to help others who find themselves in this kind of situation," she said. "It seemed the right thing to do to raise money for Macmillan."

Click here to support the fundraiser.