FIVE youngsters who completed a truly mountainous challenge as a thank you for the over-and-above support of Maggie's Oldham handed over the proceeds of their arduous efforts.

Emily Watton, aged 11, vowed to help repay the cancer support centre's care and kindness which has been a huge help to her mum, Andrea Hawker, after she was treated for breast cancer.

Determined Emily persuade her dad, Rick, to allow her and friends Sophie Dervan and Emma Cadman and cousins Oscar and Flynn Watton to not only conquer England's highest peak, Scafell Pike, in the Lake District, but also Snowdon.

The determined entourage - along with Rick and fellow dads - battled truly horrendous conditions last June to complete the two-day challenge, raising an amazing £6,583 in the process.

They visited Maggie's, in the grounds of Royal Oldham Hospital, to present the cheque to staff.

Rick said: "I don't think the kids realised how big a deal this is.

"We are so proud of what they have achieved. They kept going in such treacherous weather and we never imagined they'd raise so much money.

"Cancer effects so many people and Maggie's does so much to help them.

"The support Andrea has had from Maggie's and the staff has been amazing and Emily just wanted to do something to say thank you to them."

Laura Tomlinson, Maggie's Oldham fundraising manager, said: "It's hard to put into words how amazing this achievement is and the way the kids took it all in their stride is just testament to what exceptional individuals they are. It's no easy feat to climb two peaks in two days in such challenging conditions, not to mention raising over £6,500!

"This is such a incredible and significant amount of money and it will go a long way to helping us to support more people affected by cancer as they walk through our doors here at Maggie's, whether that be for a friendly listening ear, some professional advice, a place to meet others who understand how you're feeling or somewhere to sit quietly with a cup of tea.

"What the kids have achieved is so, so special – we really hope they are all so incredibly proud of themselves.

"We just can't thank them enough for what they've done for us, we are extremely lucky to have their support here at Maggie's."