THE FUSE

A five-year-old girl has conquered Britain's highest mountain in challenging wintry conditions "to help raise pennies for the girls and boys who need help".

Faye Moffat, from Prestonpans in East Lothian, accompanied her dad Craig on the arduous ascent of Ben Nevis.

She pushed through a blizzard to reach the summit and camped overnight on the mountain, so far raising more than £1,000 for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity (GCHC).

Craig said: "She faced snow, ice, a blizzard at the summit and a long descent in the dark - but she never once gave up."

He added: "I'm so proud of Faye for wanting to support such a great charity and also she now has an understanding of the difference we can all make."

Faye climbed her first Munro without help last winter.

On the pair's JustGiving page, ahead of her Ben Nevis climb, she said: "This will be my hardest adventure. My daddy says if we don't give up we can do anything so I won't give up.

"Please help me raise pennies for the boys and girls who need help."

Craig and Faye began the climb in darkness at 07:00 and carried all their overnight gear.

They set up camp half way up before pushing on through deep snow and fierce winds.

Battling over the icy slopes in crampons, they reached the summit in "very tough conditions" during a blizzard.

They then began the long descent back to their tent - much of it in heavy rain and using headtorches to navigate their way through the dark.

The father and daughter took up the 10-hour challenge to raise money for GCHC which supports more than 500 babies, children and young people every day.

Craig said: "The hospital does incredible work for children and families all across Scotland."

The charity helped Faye's cousin and friend Lucy, who had surgery after being born with half a heart and is now thriving.

"My cousin Owen and friend Lucy are both alive because of the hospital and charity," Faye said.

"I want to raise pennies to help buy things to help children who aren't well."