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Nine-year-old amputee conquers three mountains in less than a day

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Amputee Albie, 9, completes Three Peaks in under 24 hours

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What would keep you going while climbing three enormous mountains? For one nine-year-old boy, the answer was his dad, determination and plenty of sour sweets.

Albie-Junior, from Flintshire in Wales, had his foot amputated as a toddler, and hopes he has just become the youngest amputee to complete the tallest peaks in Wales, Scotland and England in less than 24 hours.

Known as the Three Peaks Challenge, it involves climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Yr Wyddfa in Wales. Yr Wyddfa is also known as Snowdon. Travelling between the mountains is included in the total time.

Having completed the challenge with his dad, in 22 hours and 30 minutes, Albie-Junior hopes that once confirmed, he can enter the record books.

Albie-Junior and his dad standing at the peak of Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon. An orange and pink sunset can be seen in the horizon. They are both smiling and looking at the camera.
Image source, UGC
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Dad Daniel says Albie-Junior's achievements means his son is his "hero"

Albie-Junior was born without a fibula, one of the bones in the lower leg, on his left side. His foot was removed when he was just 15 months old and he now uses a prosthetic lower leg and foot.

That has not stopped him from enjoying big adventures. At four, he became the youngest amputee to climb Yr Wyddfa. He later climbed Ben Nevis at five and Scafell Pike at six.

He's now done all three in one go.

For this challenge, Albie-Junior and his dad trained for four months.

During the climbs, Albie-Junior had "lots of fluids" ate "ham and cheese sandwiches" cut into squares and "sour sweets for energy".

When the climbing became difficult, Albie-Junior said he would "think of being home with my family or think of doing something really nice" afterwards.

His dad, Daniel told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that his son is his "superhero".

"I've never had anyone to look up to in my life, until Albie," Daniel said.

Albie-Junior and his dad Daniel Thomas completing the Three Peaks challenge. The pair are both wearing beanie hats, with flash lights attached to them. They are both wearing blue long sleeved tops, matching yellow trainers. The pair are hand in hand as they walk towards the camera.Image source, UGC
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Albie-Junior completed the 24 hour Three Peaks challenge in 22 hours and 30 minutes, alongside his dad. Once confirmed he will enter the record books as the youngest amputee to complete the challenge in less than a day

The father and son duo also raised money for Holywell Town Football Club, collecting £3,085 so far.

And their adventures may not be over yet. They hope to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania next year. At 5,895 metres, it is Africa's highest mountain.

Asked whether he felt nervous about it, Albie-Junior simply replied: "No."