Doing it for grandad: Intrepid mountaineer Jasper to take on Ben Nevis – aged five

A five-year-old boy is set to take on the UK’s highest mountain, completing an incredible treble and raising thousands of pounds after being inspired by his grandad’s brush with cancer.

Jasper Dunsmore, from Dickleburgh, has already hiked to the top of Scafell Pike in England and Mount Snowdon in Wales with his dad, Peter. Later this month, the pair will attempt to scale Scotland’s Ben Nevis, completing the UK’s three highest peaks in the process.

This latest hike will be different from the others as the Dickleburgh Primary School pupil will be doing it for a cause that hits close to home.

“It is funny, really, as we never set out to complete all three,” said Mr Dunsmore.

“We were on holiday in the Lake District in March as a family, with my three-year-old daughter Clara and wife Danielle. While the girls had their own adventure, we had a boys’ adventure and decided to go up to the summit of Scafell Pike.

“Jasper’s motivation was the prospect of seeing snow at the top and he absolutely loved it.

“Then, back at school, they learned about the highest peaks in the UK; he found out about Snowdon and asked if we could do it, which we did over the May Bank Holiday.”

So when the intrepid little hiker wanted to complete the set by taking on his third mountain, his dad thought about raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.

His father and Jasper’s grandad, Peter, from Kenninghall, was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. After undergoing major surgery at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to remove his prostate, he is currently doing well.

“When we talked about raising money and about the charity, Jasper wanted to do it for grandad,” said Mr Dunsmore.

“It then took on a new meaning and made Jasper’s steps more than just taking on the mountain.”

Since the fundraising page opened with a £500 target, the 30-year-old personal trainer and coach said it had gone crazy, with more than £4,000 collected so far.

“The support Jasper has been given from donations, messages and those people we pass on the mountains, has been amazing,” said Mr Dunsmore.

“Other walkers have seen he is so young and have been blown away when they find out he has climbed to the top of two peaks.

“Someone even gave him a medal when he got to the top of Scafell Pike, which he wore all the way down with pride. It has been so touching.”

Mr Dunsmore said it was also about getting the message and awareness out there about prostate cancer.

“It is massively important to me,” he said. “Due to what has happened to our family, it has changed my perspective on prostate cancer.

“It is such a male thing to be very private and very proud, but we all need to talk about this more as it is the UK’s second biggest cancer behind breast cancer.”

Jasper and his dad plan to go to Fort William in Scotland on July 23 and will pick the best weather window over the following four days to take on the mountain.

“For him, he is just going for a walk with his dad on an epic adventure,” said Mr Dunsmore.

“For me, it has been about a shared love of the outdoors with Jasper. When he got to the summit of Scafell Pike, he said it was his best Easter Sunday ever; that was priceless for me and it will be great when we get to the top of Ben Nevis.

“This journey has provided some of the proudest moments of my life.”

To donate, go to justgiving.com and search for Peter Dunsmore.