Meet Frankie McMillan, an eight-year-old whose love for climbing has taken him to extraordinary heights. From scaling all 214 Wainwrights in the Lakes, to becoming the youngest Briton to conquer Mount Olympus in Greece, Frankie's journey is one of determination and a love for the great outdoors. Now, with his sights set on Mount Everest, Frankie's latest adventure showcases not only his ambition but also his commitment to giving back.
Accompanied by his mum, Basia, a highly experienced climber, mountain leader, and mountain rescue volunteer, Frankie embarked on a challenging nine-day trek to Everest's base camp. Their journey tested their physical and emotional resilience, climbing through glaciers and past lakes, among the world’s highest peaks.
For Basia, watching Frankie touch the base camp rock was a moment of pure pride. As she shared, "It was such a rewarding experience. Frankie was very proud of himself, but I was even more proud."
Frankie added “Climbing Everest is my biggest dream, and the whole of the wall next to my bed is a picture of it. But my Mum says I’m too small to go to the very top, so Base Camp will have to do for now.”
Because he is making his wish come true, Frankie wants to help other children make their wishes come true too. He is raising money for Make-A-Wish, a foundation that brings moments of joy and precious memories to children whose lives are limited or even threatened by serious illness. He plans to raise £5,364 – a pound for every metre of height to reach Base Camp.
Frankie also took a little bit of home with him on his voyage to base camp, in the form of a Herdy Ewe Tube, showing his support for Lake District Mountain Rescue.
Basia, Frankie's mum, is not only his climbing partner but also a member of Wasdale Mountain Rescue. Her expertise and dedication to helping others in the mountains has shaped Frankie's approach to adventure. Growing up surrounded by the landscapes of the Lake District, Frankie has developed a deep respect for nature and a love for the outdoors. From an early age, he was drawn to the challenge of climbing mountains, including scaling Scafell Pike, Britain’s highest mountain, aged just four.
The Herdy Mountain Rescue Ewe Tube is a practical accessory for anyone venturing out into the mountains, and, it's also a fun way to show support for the amazing volunteers who make it possible for us to enjoy the outdoors safely. Every purchase makes a difference as £1.50 from the sale of every Ewe Tube is donated to Lake District Mountain Rescue. By choosing to support the mountain rescue teams in this way, you are showing appreciation for the work that they do and are helping to ensure that they can continue providing their vital service for years to come. To date, you have helped Herdy raise over £3100 for Lake District Mountain Rescue.
Mountain Rescue Ewe Tube
£1.50 from the sale of every Ewe Tube is donated to Lake District Mountain Rescue
