The dad who will climb 'Everest' in a day to help poorly children - and here's how you can back him

Paul O’Donovan, from Hartlepool, has revealed the idea which will be his first challenge on behalf of a newly formed charity called Lyla and Lilley’s Stars.

He will climb Roseberry Topping 30 times in a day and hopes to raise £5,000. He said: “Physically, it will be the toughest challenge I have ever done.”

Paul, 35, is the dad of Lyla O’Donovan who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and who is facing the 11th operation on her brain in four years.

Courageous Lyla had her 10th operation last summer and was allowed home a day later.

Yet within three weeks, she astounded everyone by walking up Roseberry Topping.

Now dad Paul has chosen it as the venue for a fundraising challenge which will hopefully take place on February 27 subject to pandemic restrictions.

Lyla and Lilley’s Stars is a charity set up in Lyla and her sister’s name and its aim is to support other people going through tough times by sending them on a getaway day or short break.

Paul added: “We have not been able to send anyone away so far but there is a waiting list and as soon as the pandemic restrictions lift, we can send people on a break.”

He hopes to start walking at midnight and keep going until he has been up and down Roseberry Topping 30 times. If he completes the task, Paul will have climbed 31,500 ft and taken 180,000 steps. He estimates he will walk 60 miles.

Paul, who is in the Army, said: “I don’t like asking people to support charity unless I am doing something in return. I would climb the equivalent of Mount Everest if I did it 28 times so I have added two more on for good measure.”

Lyla has undergone life-threatening surgery, battled meningitis, been treated for hydrocephalus and had a shunt put into her head and that’s just in the last four years.

She was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 when she was just three.

But Lyla and her family have always thought of others and have now put those efforts into an official charity.

To support Paul’s mega effort, visit here.

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