A school boy from Loggerheads in Staffordshire has shown the power of true friendship after he pledged to take on 12 challenges in 12 months to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, in memory of his best friend.

Eight-year-old Nate Pakeman was inspired to fundraise after his friend, Tobi Weir, sadly passed away earlier this year.  Tobi was admitted to the hospital in December 2017 with Eosinophilia, a condition which affects the immune system.  For 12 months, Tobi fought his condition but sadly in January 2019, at just eight-years-old, he lost his battle and passed away peacefully in his parents’ arms.

To honour his best friend, Nate decided to do something incredible to raise money for the hospital as a way of saying thank you for looking after Tobi.  A mate on a mission, Nate set himself 12 strenuous challenges including walking 100 miles, climbing Snowdon, a 24-hour silence and a five-mile kayak.  Now, just eight months in, he has already raised over £4,300 for the charity.

    

Nate said: “When Tobi was poorly in hospital all the doctors and nurses looked after him and tried to make him better. So I wanted to do something to say thank you and help other children in the hospital. 

“I am doing 12 challenges because that’s one for every month that Tobi was poorly. So far they’ve been going great but the 24-hour silence was really hard!  My favourite part has been the climbing challenge. I climbed 310 metres, which is the height of the Shard, with two police officers – it was really cool!”

The youngster has also recently been recognised for his dedication to fundraising by social giving platform, JustGiving, which has shortlisted Nate as a finalist for its Young Fundraiser of the Year award.

  

Miranda Williams, Public fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “What an incredible young man! We’ve been blown away by Nate’s commitment to fundraising in memory of his best friend and the fantastic amount he has raised will help us do more for sick kids, just like Tobi, and make sure they have the best possible hospital experience while they’re with us.

“We’re so excited that Nate’s fundraising has sparked the recognition of a national award and would encourage everyone to head to the JustGiving website to vote for Nate to help him win.”

To vote for Nate Pakeman to win the JustGiving Young Fundraiser of the Year Award, enter here.