A BIT of wind and rain wasn’t going to stop one nine (and a half) year old from making her way up not one, but three mountains in memory of dear family friend.

On Sunday, September 21, Esme Lowe, from the Chew Valley, completed an epic challenge to raise money for charity.

A big inspiration for this was Esme’s mother, who is four-times Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington OBE, and her friend Sam Perkins.

Aged just 37, Chrissie’s friend Sam was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Sam and his wife Emma established the charity Stand Against MND in 2019, with the aim of funding MND research and supporting patients and their families in need of palliative care.

Among the many events held to support the cause, Chrissie pushed Sam around the TCS London Marathon in 2024, and Esme was there to greet him at the finish line.

Esme said she found him “inspiring”, adding: “Sam had so many challenges and hurdles but he still wanted to do the marathon and make the most out of his life. He taught me that I can dream big and achieve anything I set my mind to.”

It was after Sam died of MND in February this year that Esme decided she wanted to do something in his memory and to raise funds for Sam’s charity, Stand Against MND.

She set herself the incredible task of climbing three mountains in Wales (Yr Wyddfa or Mount Snowdon, Cader Idris and Pen y Fan) in three days.

On September 21, and having battled wind and torrential rain, Esme completed the challenge, supported by her mother, Chrissie, and father, Tom.

So far, they have raised more than £3,400 but hoped to push that to £4,444, to mark what would have been Sam’s 44th birthday.

Esme said: “Climbing three mountains in three days was really difficult, especially when it was so windy and rainy, but I wanted to do this for Sam and to raise lots of money for his charity. I don’t want anyone to suffer like he did. I want to thank everyone who has supported me and donated money to this important cause.”

Proud mother Chrissie added: “I am so incredibly proud of Esme for completing this incredible challenge. Her positivity, tenacity and strength are an inspiration to me, her dad and all who know her. To have come up with the idea of raising money for Stand Against MND by summiting three mountains in three days as a nine year old is a sign of her brave, caring and thoughtful nature.

“It also shows that children are capable of so much more than we might think, if only they are given the opportunity to test themselves. I’d love to thank everyone who has donated to this important cause. The money raised will be put into research and support, and will hopefully mean that, in future, those with MND dont have to suffer like Sam did.”

There’s still time to donate at the following link www.justgiving.com/page/welshpeakschallenge