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An 11-year-old boy from Sutton Coldfield, who is paraplegic, described his experience of meeting Catherine, Princess of Wales, as “incredible” after they crossed paths three times during the completion of the Three Peaks Challenge. Ted was supported throughout the challenging expedition by his father Pete and a group of 15 family members and friends, who helped push and carry him in his wheelchair. Their aim was to raise funds for Molly Ollys, a charity assisting children with life-threatening illnesses.
Throughout the challenge, the group encountered the Princess on each mountain. Catherine took time to speak with Ted, enquiring about his wellbeing, and subsequently made a donation to his fundraiser. Reflecting on the experience, Ted said to BBC Radio WM, “When I did realise [it was her] I just thought it was amazing and incredible.” Pete recounted how the initial meeting surprised him, explaining that he was at the back of the group and unaware whom the princess had spoken to for some moments. He stated, “A good 30 seconds must have passed before they called me forward and I was just dumbfounded.”
Pete mentioned that seeing Catherine in casual walking attire initially made it easy to overlook her, admitting, “I think I might have just walked past her.” It was the princess who initiated conversation after noticing Ted being carried up the mountain in his wheelchair. He praised her kindness, recalling how she was “very motherly to Ted,” checking if he was warm enough or had managed to get some rest after completing the first mountain. The fact that Catherine remembered Ted’s name and greeted him personally the next day left the group truly amazed.
The Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the highest summits of England, Scotland, and Wales—Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, and Snowdon—all within 24 hours. Catherine took on this challenge in support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, connected to the hospital where she received cancer treatment. Pete described the challenge as “tough, a lot tougher than expected,” recalling harsh conditions including 40mph winds and snow atop Ben Nevis. Despite the difficulty, the team managed to finish ten minutes ahead of their 30-hour target by cheerfully carrying Ted during the final phase. Ted remarked, “It was very tough but very funny as well because I kept bouncing up and down.”
Pete shared that Ted had been diagnosed with a rapidly growing spinal tumour at the age of three, which resulted in paralysis. He explained that Ted initially struggled to describe his back pain, and the tumour was doubling in size every day. The fundraising effort for Molly Ollys has far exceeded its original target of £5,000, now surpassing £11,000 in donations. Pete expressed delight at the response, highlighting how meeting the Princess brought increased media attention and generosity. He hopes their journey will inspire other children facing similar challenges to think creatively about their own possibilities
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