A 10-year old aviation enthusiast and fundraising champion has conquered Spean Bridge’s seven-mile Commando Speed March Course as a tribute to the servicemen and women captured during the Second World War.
Jacob Newson, known online as Jacob the Pilot, took on the challenge when he visited Lochaber with his dad Andy and his father’s friend Elaine Hardy.
The march took the Leeds youngster from Spean Bridge Train Station to Achnacarry Castle. Dressed in a flying suit, the youngster paused during the challenge to raise a Royal Navy flag at the famous memorial.
His time in the area, where the trio camped, also saw him meet Donald Cameron, the current Lochiel, visit the Clan Cameron Museum and be invited to feed the Achnacarry Estate stags.
Jacob has been a prolific fundraiser since he hit the headlines aged five when the Red Arrows responded to Andy’s request for pilots to return Jacob’s salutes at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
A charity walk done as way of thanks has since led to a series of fundraisers, with the prospective pilot now having raised over £130,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund and St. Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds, where his mum was cared for before she died in 2020.
Ventures have included summiting Ben Nevis, a ‘Battle of Britain’ Challenge along the Kent Coast, and a four-day climb of Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains.
In August, to celebrate 60 years since the film The Great Escape, Jacob, his father and a guide are hoping to raise £25,000 by trekking from France to Spain across the Pyrenees mountain range.
For Andy, an ambulance practitioner, aiding Jacob with missions has not only had a positive effect through fundraising, but also helped the family.
He said: “Whilst we are doing some good by raising money, we actually get a lot out of it ourselves as well.
“We spend quite a lot of time out in the Lake District and in the Yorkshire Dales, and it is good for our mental health because we don’t have any kind of electronics other than when I take some pictures on my mobile phone.
“It is a time when we can really talk about Jacob’s feelings and how he is doing as it is only three-and-a-half years now since his mum passed away.”
Doing something most children his age can’t even imagine also gives his son confidence.
Andy added: “He wouldn’t do it if he didn’t like it. I think he gets a sense of accomplishment and achievement, and is quite proud of himself for what he has accomplished.
“He keeps on about how he wants to climb Mount Everest, but he won’t be doing that with me."
In appreciation of the help received during their visit to Lochaber, Andy would like to express his thanks to Achnacarry Sporting and Country Pursuits, the Clan Cameron Museum, and Donald Cameron.
Jacob’s efforts can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) at @Jacob_The_Pilot, or via JacobThePilot on Facebook.
Anyone wishing to donate to Jacob’s Pyrenees challenge can do so via his Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/jacob-newson-1705321244173.
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