THE mother of an eight-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis is to tackle Britain’s highest mountain to raise funds for the charity which helps her son.

Emma Smith, from Northallerton, is to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland on Saturday, September 8 to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Her son, Jack, was diagnosed with the life-shortening, genetic condition at birth.

His mother says the climb will be a huge challenge for her due to bouts of recent illness, which left her in a wheelchair last year, but her son’s courage has motivated her to try and complete the challenge.

“I do suffer from pain from time to time but my little boy has been through so much with cystic fibrosis, with trips in and out of hospital since he was born.

"He never complains and always has a smile on his face. It motivates me to take on this huge challenge and do it for him.”

Cystic fibrosis causes the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, to become clogged with thick, sticky mucus, resulting in chronic infections and inflammation of the lungs.

Jack has grown up with frequent stays in hospital and has had liver disease from the age of two. He has had lots of operations and is currently awaiting another. When he was younger he was regularly ill, so Mrs Smith had to leave her job to care for him.

She now works as a secretary at Harrowells Solicitors.

To sponsor her, visit the JustGiving website justgiving.com/emmabennevis