There ain’t no mountain high enough for this adventurous seven-year-old – who is gearing up to scale new heights for a youth cancer charity.

East Anglian Daily Times: Aint no mountain high enough for this adventurous seven-year-old Picture: RACHEL EDGEAint no mountain high enough for this adventurous seven-year-old Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

One mountain wasn’t sufficient for Alastair Emrich, from Colchester, who is hiking the 25 miles of the Yorkshire Three Peaks this May for the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation.

And the Queen Boudica Primary School pupil has already won high-profile backing from his hero of the same name Alastair Humphreys, who conquered the same feat when he was nine.

East Anglian Daily Times: One mountain wasnt sufficient for Alastair Emrich Picture: RACHEL EDGEOne mountain wasnt sufficient for Alastair Emrich Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

Not only is the plucky schoolboy following in his footsteps, the explorer got him to his £500 target.

“A big challenge like this deserves supporting,” Mr Humphreys tweeted.

East Anglian Daily Times: The seven-year-old decided he wanted to help the Tom Bowdidge Foundation after bumping into CEO Nikki Bowdidge Picture: RACHEL EDGEThe seven-year-old decided he wanted to help the Tom Bowdidge Foundation after bumping into CEO Nikki Bowdidge Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

Proud mum Nikki said it had been a huge shock for Alastair, and he’d gone to bed a “happy little boy”.

She said: “Alastair is an avid reader and two summers ago he discovered a book by Alastair Humphreys called the Boy Who Biked the World.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alastair is already planning to climb Snowdon once he has completed this challenge Picture: RACHEL EDGEAlastair is already planning to climb Snowdon once he has completed this challenge Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

“He loves all outdoor activities and was totally enthralled.

“The fact they shared the same name and unusual spelling meant he couldn’t get enough.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alastair is raising money for the Tom Bowdidge Foundation Picture: RACHEL EDGEAlastair is raising money for the Tom Bowdidge Foundation Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

Nikki added: “He read Al had done the Yorkshire Three Peaks when he was nine and straightaway asked if he could do it when he was eight.

“We said he could and didn’t think much about it.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alastair loves all outdoor activities Picture: RACHEL EDGEAlastair loves all outdoor activities Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

“But he kept talking about it, so we planned it.”

The seven-year-old decided he wanted to help the Tom Bowdidge Foundation after bumping into chief executive Nikki Bowdidge.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alastair is gearing up to scale new heights for a youth cancer charity Picture: RACHEL EDGEAlastair is gearing up to scale new heights for a youth cancer charity Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

His mum explained how they knew one another and he heard about Tom, who died aged 19 after being diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer.

“Alastair was extremely sad and told me that it wasn’t fair and that he wanted to help,” she said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alastair Emrich is planning to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks Picture: RACHEL EDGEAlastair Emrich is planning to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

“Once he had set his mind on the Three Peaks he said straight away he wanted to raise money for the foundation.

“He is utterly determined to do it and is already planning to climb Snowdon once he has completed this challenge.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Alastair is keen to support the youth cancer charity Picture: RACHEL EDGEAlastair is keen to support the youth cancer charity Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

Alastair will be one of the youngest people ever to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Another seven-year-old set the record in 2015.

To sponsor Alastair, visit this link.

East Anglian Daily Times: Alastair will be one of the youngest people ever to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks Picture: RACHEL EDGEAlastair will be one of the youngest people ever to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: Alastair Emrich, from Colchester, is hiking the 25 miles of the Yorkshire Three Peaks this May Picture: RACHEL EDGEAlastair Emrich, from Colchester, is hiking the 25 miles of the Yorkshire Three Peaks this May Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Archant)