Two young brothers completed the UK Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for charity after being inspired by their mum’s ongoing health battle.
Over 72 hours, Sylvester Bean-Harding, aged 10, and Frank Bean-Harding, seven, climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon with their dad Bernard Harding and his brother, William Harding-Martin.
The boys took on the challenge to raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, inspired by their mum Molly Bean-Harding, 34, who lives with Crohn’s.
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Along the way, Bernard says the group faced a number of challenges including snow, strong winds and poor visibility, but Sylvester and Frank faced each with a “sense of adventure”.
“Seeing the boys’ faces as they realised they were about to achieve what they’d spent months working towards was incredibly emotional, particularly on Ben Nevis,” Bernard, from Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, told What’s The Jam.
“It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
While avid fans of outdoor activities, Bernard says the boys didn’t have much experience when it came to mountain climbing.
However, once presented with the idea by their dad, the pair threw themselves into training and were “immediately excited” by the possibilities.
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Bernard said: “Once they understood that it was something they could do to support their mum and raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, they were completely on board.
“From that point on, it became their challenge.
“As a parent, I was incredibly proud of their enthusiasm but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also a little nervous about what we were taking on.
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“The Three Peaks Challenge is tough for adults, so there was a lot of planning and preparation to make sure we approached it safely.
“Honestly, we would have been just as proud of them for simply attempting it.
“The fact they not only completed it, but absolutely smashed it the way they did, exceeded all of our expectations.”
Sylvester, Frank, Bernard and William trained for months leading up to the challenge, though Bernard says they kept it “fun rather than turning it into a strict training programme”.
They visited climbing centres, did local hikes and explored mountain bike trails, something the boys particularly loved.
The business owner ensured his training was up to scratch too, wearing a 30kg weighted vest so he’d be sure he could help if either of the boys struggled during the challenge.
The group spread the challenge across 72 hours, allowing them to work around weather windows, prioritise safety and make the experience as enjoyable as possible for the boys.
The boys, who are home educated, climbed Snowdon (Pyg Track) in four hours and 34 minutes, Scafell Pike (Wasdale Route) in four hours and 44 minutes, and Ben Nevis (Mountain Track) in seven hours and 15 minutes in May 2026.
Bernard said: “It was never about records or speed.
“Our goal was simply to complete the challenge safely, enjoy the adventure and raise as much money as possible for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.”
He added that Ben Nevis was “by far the biggest challenge” due to the weather conditions changing rapidly – but nothing stopped the boys from enjoying it.
He said: “The boys loved the sense of adventure throughout the challenge.
“They loved reaching each summit, seeing parts of the UK they’d never seen before and knowing they were working towards something meaningful.
“Beyond the mountains themselves, they loved the camping, staying in different places each night and the feeling that we were on a proper expedition.
“For them, it wasn’t just about reaching the summits – it was about the whole adventure.
“They also loved meeting people along the way.
“So many walkers stopped to chat, encourage them and wish them luck once they heard what they were attempting, which gave them a real boost when things got tough.”
Sylvester and Frank are “incredibly happy and proud” to have completed the huge challenge, said Bernard.
He added: “We actually expected them to be completely exhausted but they seemed to have endless energy and were already talking about future adventures.”
For, Molly, seeing her boys complete the challenge has left her “incredibly proud”.
Bernard added: “Living with Crohn’s disease isn’t always easy and there are good days and difficult days.
“For the boys to take on something this big because they wanted to help her and raise awareness has been very emotional for all of us.
“More than anything, I think it shows them that kindness matters and that even at a young age they can make a positive difference in the world.”
The boys reached their £1,000 fundraising goal and have raised more than £1,800 so far.
Bernard says Sylvester and Frank are “genuinely amazed” at how much money they’ve raised.
Since completing the challenge, Bernard has submitted an enquiry to the Guinness World Records to see whether their achievement may qualify for recognition.
He added: “The boys who stood on the summit of Ben Nevis were very different from the boys who started training at the beginning of the year.
“Seeing them discover what they’re capable of, and realise they’re often stronger and more resilient than they give themselves credit for, has been one of the biggest rewards of the entire experience.
“Long after the fundraising total is forgotten, I think that’s what I’ll remember most from the challenge.”
The family documented the challenge on their YouTube channel, The Brothers Shred.
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