HE cycled the equivalent height of Mount Everest on one of the hottest days of the year so far.

But for father-of-one Miles Crossley, from Crook, giving up was out of the question because his beloved little boy, Mason, was on the sidelines cheering him on.

Mason suffers from a rare and life threatening skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), which results in skin so fragile it can tear and blister at the slightest touch. The five-year-old regularly suffers from painful blisters on his eyes and can spend weeks if not months too afraid to open his eyelids in case he bursts them.

This year, Mr Crossley has embarked on a series of gruelling cycling challenges to raise awareness of the incurable genetic condition. He is also raising funds for DEBRA UK, an international medical research charity dedicated to the curing of EB.

In May, he took on the notorious Fred Whitton Challenge in the Lake District, and last weekend he became the 2,284th person in the world to complete the Everesting Challenge.

This involves climbing the equivalent height of Mount Everest - 29,029ft - in one session.

Mr Crossley completed the epic ride by cycling up and down Crawleyside Bank near Stanhope on Saturday, June 23, in the blazing sunshine. Covering a distance of 150.4 miles, Mr Crossley, who is head of business development at George F White chartered surveyors, made 39 ascents of the hill and finished the challenge in 17 hours.

He was cheered on by Mason and his wife, Sam, along with friends, relations and Stanhope residents.

“Everesting was by far the hardest mental and physical challenge I have ever done,” he said.

“There were of course dark moments but I was doing it for my little boy and that really pulled me through.

“I also have to mention the fantastic people that came along to support me, it is great to see how a local cause brings a community together.”

Next month, the 34-year-old will round of his latest fundraising mission by cycling from London to Paris in three days. This is a distance of 325 miles.

He has already raised more than £3,000 for DEBRA UK and is hopeful of hitting his target of £7,500.

To sponsor Mr Crossley and to read more about his story, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/masoncrossley

To find out more about the charity, visit debra.org.uk