Twelve friends aged 10 and 11 are to complete a ’Sea to Sky Challenge’ for three Manx charities.

The Buchan School pupils will walk from Laxey beach to the island’s highest point and back on June 22 in the hopes of hitting their target of raising £300 for Mannin Sepsis, Rebecca House and The Children’s Centre.

Leading the charge is Theo Head, 11, who was inspired by his teachers who last year finished the Three Peaks Challenge in the UK.

This national challenge sees participants climb Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Ben Nevis in Scotland within 24 hours. The total walking distance is 23 miles and the total ascent of the hike is 3,064 metres (2,034ft).

The Buchan team will climb Snaefell, which is 620 metres above sea level.

As well as Theo, the group includes: Oliver Crookall; Harry Deering; Alden Owens; Alex Maher; Ryan Colquitt; Guy McGuiness; Kieran Douglas; Jacob Harding; Shenton Adams-Lewis and other pupils who wish to remain anonymous.

Theo’s mother, Kate, from Colby, said: ’All the boys are in year six and so this will be a lovely send off before going to high school in September, as well as raising money for some well deserved charities.

’Theo wondered if he could do something similar to his teachers at the end of year six.

’His papa [grandad] died of sepsis two years ago in April, which is why he wants to raised money for Mannin sepsis.

’He then thought it would be a nice thing if all his friends came.

’They’re a sporty year and love playing football in the courts.

’So they’re all fit and able.’

She said that Theo’s desire to do the fundraiser had ’surprised’ her.

’I’m very proud. It shows how much the year six boys have bonded and will be going off to different schools,’ she said.

Following the one-day expedition, the 12 boys will stay over at a football club.

’They will hopefully be able to talk about their hike which would be a nice way to round it off instead of going off,’ Kate added.

The trip is estimated to take around 12 hours and so far the group have raised £50.

Mannin Sepsis raises awareness of the illness, which is the body’s reaction to an infection when it turns its defences on itself.

It is thought that 200 people from the island die from sepsis every year.

Rebecca House is a specialist wing at Noble’s Hospital which provides respite, palliative and end of life care for children.

The Children’s Centre provides a range of community activities for about 1,000 young people and families in the island.

â?¢ For more details on their challenge, visit their Justgiving page ’Sea to Sky Challenge’.