A SCHOOLBOY is set to climb the hight of Mount Everest to help protect elderly people from coronavirus.

Ethan Thompson, who has just finished Year 6 at St Joseph’s Middle School in Hexham, will climb the stairs of his home no fewer than 3,253 times, during the six-week summer holiday.

In climbing the equivalent of 8,850 metres, he will raise money for the Charlotte Straker Project’s Covid-19 pandemic isolation unit appeal.

Ethan’s grandma, Marian, is a resident at Charlotte Straker House in Corbridge, and he wanted to do his bit for the cause.

“I know it’s going to be hard work,” he said. “But I’ve already had some nice messages and donations, which have given me lots of motivation.”

Charlotte Straker’s Marilyn Hunter wished Ethan well, and urged people to donate via https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EthanEverest