Mum scales Ben Nevis to raise funds for good causes helping her son

Lynsey with her team getting set to climb Ben Nevis

Lynsey Baxter embarked on her latest fundraising venture - scaling Ben Nevis - in her son Oscar’s name.

The five-year-old, who attends St Aloysius Primary in Hebburn, was diagnosed with a rare chromosome disorder which causes him to have multiple health issues and has slowed down his development.

Lynsey Baxter with sons Oscar, left, and Harry.

He is being supported by the Centre for Life and the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle as well as Unique - a support network for those living with a rare condition.

The three organisations are now set to benefit from a share of £4,300 raised after the 36-year-old completed the challenge.

The mum-of-two from Blackpool Parade, Hebburn, said: “The weather was absolutely rubbish and hardly any of us slept the night before, as we were so excited.

“We set off as a team, but five did not make it to the top as it was too much. It was so much harder than I thought it would be.

“You imagined you’d be walking up a gravelly path, but you were climbing over huge rocks and boulders.

“Reaching the top was amazing. The weather was horrible, it was raining and foggy, but apart from that it was brilliant. It couldn’t have gone any better.

“When I got to the top, I had planned to do a massive speech, but when I got there I was so emotional, I really struggled.”

It is not the first time Lynsey has taken part in a fundraising venture.

She has already raised thousands of pounds for Sunderland Eye Infirmary after medical experts helped to save her oldest son Harry’s sight.

The 11-year-old had been diagnosed as a youngster as having Coats’ disease - a rare eye disorder that can cause partial or even full blindness.

Oscar’s chromosome disorder has only recently been discovered - following more than four years of tests after Lynsey first took him to the doctor’s at nine months old.

His illness was originally diagnosed as a viral infection, but Oscar was eventually referred to a specialist who thought it may be immature airways and bronchitis.

He continued to receive treatment, but when he failed to walk or talk and by pre-school was unable to hold a pen, the condition of global development delay was thought to be the issue.

Lynsey is receiving support through the Unique charity, which has put her in touch with other families going through similar difficulties.