A BRAVE Cumbrian boy has become the youngest Briton to climb Mount Olympus while raising money for a Lake District mountain rescue team.

Seven-year-old Frankie McMillan summited Greece's highest mountain with his mother Basia McMillan.

According to the Hellenic Mountain Guides Association, at just seven years old, Frankie is the youngest Briton ever to climb to the famous 9,573ft (2,918m) summit of Olympus.  

Children his age are not allowed to climb the summit however Frankie was granted special dispensation to climb it, given his proficiency in his climbing lessons and his experience in Cumbria fells.

Basia said they came back home 'with much heavier bags full of memories and experiences.'

She said: "It was a journey. Not only a summit and setting up the record but done in the heat and carrying big rucksacks full of three days' supplies and many litres of daily water intake. 

"We discovered different nature and cultures and learnt about myths. We heard people speaking different languages, slept in refuge with hundreds of strangers and saw horses delivering supplies."

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Basia, from Gosforth, said this was the hardest mountain she ever climbed in her life.

"I have climbed many mountains in my life, in UK and around the world, but I can honestly say this must be the hardest of them all when it comes to reaching the summit because it is technical," said Basia.

"Frankie was absolutely amazing. He was so strong, so determined, so focused. He made me super proud. He got very little sleep, a lot of walking, and heat and he did not complain even once. He was drinking every minute of the experience."

The aim of the challenge was to donate funds to the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (WMRT) and over £2,432 have been raised of £3,000 target.

Ms McMillan said: "We are very grateful for every single penny donated and the generosity of people. We are hungry for more, of course but not for us but for Wasdale Mountain Rescue. We hope we can go over £3000."

Basia and Frankie are still accepting donations for WMRT here.