A local 6 year old is set to climb Snowdon in aid of a Rutland-based hedgehog rescue centre.

Noah will be supporting Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue this year by taking part in a sponsored climb up Snowdon - supported by hedgehog-mad mum, Kelsey, and dedicated dad.

Last year, Kelsey raised money for Rachel and Jay at Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue by jumping out of a plane - and it appears that she is not the only member of the Monins clan crazy enough to undertake a huge challenge for the hogs!

Later this year, Noah will be donning his walking boots and, alongside mum and dad, climbing one of the three biggest peaks in the UK, Snowdon.

Noah's idea was born on a recent trip to Wales, during which he learned about Snowdon and decided to merge his new passion - the Welsh mountains - with his old passion - Rutland's hedgehog population.

Proud mum, Kelsey, said: "Mummy I want to raise money for the hedgehogs, please can we climb a mountain is not something you expect to hear from a 6year old! Yet here we are, hiking boots at the ready, ready to climb/stumble/drag ourselves up Mount Snowdon."

Prickleback have cared for nearly 200 hogs! Image credit: Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue.

All donations will go directly to the Prickleback Urchin Rescue, a fantastic organisation run locally, that aim to treat and rehabilitate hedgehogs that are found out during daylight hours.

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They fund all the emergency care, medication, hospital cages, food, bedding and more from their own pockets, as well as relying heavily on donations.

As such, Noah and the team are hoping that Rutland can dig deep and donate whatever they can to their cause - plus any bags of Haribo to give them the sugar burst they are sure to need to complete their mammoth challenge.

Kelsey explained: "Rachel and Jay have been family friends for a number of years and when they took their very first hedgehogs in, we thought they were a little bit bonkers. Never the less, after seeing how quickly they grew, how much time, effort, love, tears and money they poured into their rescue operations, we knew we wanted to try and help them out.

"Last year I took part in a bit of fundraising for them myself by completing a skydive - one to remember! To say I am proud of Noah following in my footsteps is an understatement, but I am certainly glad he is not asking to throw himself out of a plane.

"Instead myself and my husband will accompany Noah on this amazing journey, and all I can hope is that my two reconstructed knees manage to stay in tact, along with our sanity. As Noah say "Don't worry, you can do it Mummy!" Let's hope he is right."

The Prickleback team also accept donations of food, medical supplies and more. Image credit: Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue.

The team will be walking on 1 July, and we are keeping our fingers crossed that they will have good weather - and that Kelsey's knees will hold up!

So far they have raised £90 and, with all donations going directly to the Prickleback Urchin Rescue, they are keen to reach their £150 target.

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You can donate to Noah's cause on their dedicated gofundme page.

Alternatively, get in touch to share your own ventures, adventures, and fundraising goals by emailing [email protected].