Glasgow schoolboy Jack Liddle trekked to the peak of Ben Nevis to raise money for Poppyscotland after being inspired by soldiers on Armed Forces Day at Ibrox.

The eight-year-old, from Easterhouse, reached the summit of the UK’s highest mountain in 12 hours.

Although originally intending to raise £200, Jack beat his target and managed to raise more than £700 – all to help the ‘brave soldiers’ he saw on Armed Forces Day.

Deborah Hannah, Jack’s mother, says she is ‘beyond proud’.

“Jack has wanted to do something to raise money for Poppyscotland since he was about four”, said Deborah.

“That was when he went to his first Armed Forces Day at Ibrox and after that he started asking questions.

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“He previously did Ben Lomond. He doesn’t climb a lot, but after he did Ben Lomond he decided he and his cousins would tackle Ben Nevis. He always wanted to do it for Poppyscotland because he respects the soldiers, and believes them to be very brave, and says he would love to be like them one day, which is why he wants to help them out.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

After hitting the heights of 4,413ft Ben Nevis you would think Jack would take a break, but his mother says that is the opposite of what he wants to do – he has already started planning his next fundraiser.

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“Before he climbed Ben Nevis he wanted to do the Kilt-walk, but he’s decided to save that for next year. He wants to raise funds next year for a charity helping the homeless, too, but he hasn’t decided which one yet” said Deborah.

Gordon Michie, head of Fundraising for Poppyscotland, said: “This is an incredible achievement from young Jack and his fundraising efforts are an inspiration to us all.

“To raise £700 is remarkable in itself, but it was the manner in which he did it.

“To trek for almost 12 hours to the top of Scotland’s highest peak really does take one’s breath away – although, judging by the pictures taken at the summit, it appeared Master Liddle had plenty of puff left.

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“Jack’s phenomenal fundraising exploits will ensure we are able to keep on providing vital support to the Armed Forces community across the country. We work to offer life-changing help to Scotland’s veterans and this is only possible thanks to inspirational youngsters such as Jack and the many others who dedicate their time and efforts to the cause.

“The money raised will enable us to deliver support by providing funding and assistance to ex-Service personnel in Glasgow and across all of Scotland.

We also fund services in advice, employment, housing, mental health, mobility and respite – all of which can help veterans make the most of life back on ‘Civvy Street’.

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“Just like Jack, Poppyscotland will be behind them, always. I speak for everyone at Poppyscotland and all our beneficiaries when I say a massive thanks to a very special young man.”

Poppyscotland is a Scottish charity for veterans of the British Armed Forces, founded in 1921 as the Earl Haig Fund Scotland. Its main source of funding is the Scottish Poppy Appeal, organised in conjunction with the Royal British Legion in Scotland, which sells remembrance poppies in early November leading up to Remembrance Sunday.

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On Armed Forces Day at Ibrox last year, 200 army personnel were welcomed to the stands. A representative from each branch of the Armed Services led the teams out on to the pitch and personnel from the RAF abseiled into the Stadium from the Sandy Jardine Stand.