TEN-YEAR-OLD Alexander Stocks isn’t letting his own health challenges stand in his way as he prepares for a huge charity mission with his dad.

The Wombwell schoolboy, who is autistic, has a spinal disability and hearing problems, is walking up Snowdon next month to raise money for childhood cancer research.

Mum Paige said: “Alex has always gone walking and hiking with his dad Sam from being four years old. The fund-raising all came about from a conversation we had when he came back from one trip.

“I just suggested that next time he went that he did it for charity and he loved the idea.

“He chose what he was going to do and what charity he was going to help.

“He has chosen to help children with cancer through Cancer Research UK.

“Alex said that he wanted to help the children and we also lost a family member to blood cancer some time ago,” said Paige.

Alex and Sam will be heading for Wales on May 29 before tackling Snowdon the following day.

“He is really excited about it all and was absolutely beaming when donations started coming in.”

It’s going to be a tough challenge for the Wombwell Park Street Primary pupil but he’s really excited to take it on.

“Things don’t come easy for Alex as he has Klippel Feil Syndrome which is a spinal disability and he has autism but we have always told him that he can do things,” Paige added.

“There are added dangers for him but we have always encouraged him to give anything a go.

“We have always treated him like a normal child and he does lots of outdoorsy stuff with his dad - they have recently started doing wild camping and he loves hiking and doing experiments and I have always encouraged him with things like art.

“He won a Christmas card competition run by MP Stephanie Peacock last year.

“He also very lucky that his teachers at school encourage him so much - they are brilliant and that’s so important especially with him having special needs.”

Alex has been nominated for a Young Champions award and Paige is delighted for him.

“He is such a loving and kind boy - he struggles to make friends and this will mean such a lot to him.

“He’s just perfect and tries so hard with everything - to see him recognised like this means so much.”

You can find a link to Alex’s fundraising page here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/alexanders-giving-page-389