A Whitehaven schoolboy has raised more than £1,500 by setting himself a physical challenge.

Sonny Garner, seven, from Hillcrest, decided to try and do 100 rope climbs in 10 days to raise money for the NHS.

He has made £1,505 so far on his just giving page for NHS Charities Together.

Sonny, from Jericho School, completed the challenge in time, having done 10 climbs a day for the duration.

He said he wanted to raise money for the NHS after seeing and hearing how much they were struggling for equipment and how so many people were suffering with the virus.

He wanted to: “Help support our fantastic NHS.”

Proud dad, Steven Garner said: “He came up with the idea himself because it was different to anything anyone else had done previously.

“He wanted to do something to raise money and he understands what is going on.

“It was something different and something he enjoyed.”

Sonny is no stranger to sport. He likes to take part in many different activities.

He regularly plays football for Whitehaven Amateurs' under-7s, rugby for Lowca under-7s, does crossfit kids at Northern Warrior and swims, does athletics and gymnastics for Copeland.

But even for someone that is fit like Sonny, after 100 rope climbs, he was, understandably, shattered after the event – but delighted to have accomplished his challenge.

His parents are very proud of his fundraising efforts.

Steven added: “We’re so proud of him.

“For a seven-year-old it’s quite hard to understand what’s going on at the moment and he has managed to fit it in around home schooling and walking.

“It was very tiring for him at times.

“But he stayed motivated, and he is over the moon to have raised such a lot for the NHS.

“Sonny would like to thank everyone who has donated.”

Donate at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/garners18