Young Pride of Britain winner from Leeds to climb Kilimanjaro in toughest charity challenge yet
There is no stopping Jacob!
An inspirational 12-year-old boy from Leeds will climb Mount Kilimanjaro with his dad to raise money for the Royal Air Forces (RAF) this autumn.
Jacob Newson and his dad Andrew, are preparing to take on an eight-day trek in Tanzania, with the hope of reaching the iconic 5,895-metre peak on October 31.
The Leeds lad, who is known as ‘Jacob the Pilot’ because of his future RAF pilot ambitions, will mark his 13th birthday on the challenge.
“I am hoping to join the Air Cadets once I turn 13, and I want to celebrate my birthday on the roof of Africa,” Jacob said.
Jacob and Andrew raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s longest-standing charity.
The charity provides financial, emotional and practical assistance to serving and former RAF personnel and their families, including welfare breaks, mental wellbeing support, and youth programmes.
So far, Jacob and Andrew have already raised over £14,600 on their online JustGiving page.
For dad Andrew, the momentous climb will be a way to thank the RAF after supporting Jacob following the death of his mum Andrea.
Andrew said: “The RAF Benevolent Fund and the whole RAF Family have been incredibly kind to Jacob, especially since he lost his mum to cancer.
“Not only have they helped nurture and strengthen his love of all things aviation, but they have also given him some incredible opportunities that we will never be able to thank them enough for.
“This is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has supported Jacob through some of the toughest times in his life.”
As Mount Kilimanjaro can reach temperatures of -20°C, the climb will certainly be tough.
However, young Jacob is unafraid of a challenge and in fact has taken on a series of sporting challenges to support the RAF Benevolent Fund and St Gemma’s Hospice.
He even received a Pride of Britain award in 2024 for his commitment to fundraising.
At the awards ceremony, presenter and explorer Steve Backshall told Jacob: “Keep going, keep climbing, and maybe one day we’ll see you on a mountaintop somewhere.”
Taking those words to heart, Jacob is ready to climb Africa’s highest peak.