Faye, 5, battles snow and ice to reach the top of Ben Nevis

Five-year-old Faye is smiling at the camera in a snowy environment. She is wearing a bright pink jacket with black and beige sleeves. The hood is up over the top of the hood of a multi-coloured fleece. She has blonde hair which has bits of snow on it. She is standing next to a rucksack.Craig Moffat

Faye Moffat battled through snow, ice and a blizzard to reach the summit of Ben Nevis

Catherine Lyst
BBC Scotland

A five-year-old girl has conquered Britain's highest mountain in challenging wintry conditions "to help raise pennies for the girls and boys who need help".

Faye Moffat, from Prestonpans in East Lothian, accompanied her dad Craig on the arduous ascent of Ben Nevis at the weekend.

She pushed through a blizzard to reach the summit and camped overnight on the mountain, so far raising more than £1,000 for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity (GCHC).

Craig said: "She faced snow, ice, a blizzard at the summit and a long descent in the dark - but she never once gave up."

He added: "I'm so proud of Faye for wanting to support such a great charity and also she now has an understanding of the difference we can all make."

Faye climbed her first Munro without help last winter.

Faye Moffat and her dad Craig smiling as they touch the concrete trig point on the summit of Ben Nevis which is covered in snow and ice. It is snowy and foggy. They are both wearing waterproof winter gear. Faye is in a bright pink jacket with beige and black sleeves. The hood is up over the top of the hood of a multi-coloured fleece. She is also wearing grey trousers, black boots and winter gloves. Craig is wearing an orange jacket with black trousers, gloves, and boots. He has ski goggles on the top of his head and a rucksack on his back. He is giving a thumbs-up sign.Craig Moffat

Faye and Craig took on the challenge to raise money for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity

On the pair's JustGiving page, ahead of her Ben Nevis climb, she said: "This will be my hardest adventure. My daddy says if we don't give up we can do anything so I won't give up.

"Please help me raise pennies for the boys and girls who need help."

Craig and Faye began the climb in darkness at 07:00 and carried all their overnight gear.

They set up camp half way up before pushing on through deep snow and fierce winds.

Battling over the icy slopes in crampons, they reached the summit in "very tough conditions" during a blizzard.

They then began the long descent back to their tent - much of it in heavy rain and using headtorches to navigate their way through the dark.

The father and daughter took up the 10-hour challenge to raise money for GCHC which supports more than 500 babies, children and young people every day.

Craig said: "The hospital does incredible work for children and families all across Scotland."

The charity helped Faye's cousin and friend Lucy, who had surgery after being born with half a heart and is now thriving.

"My cousin Owen and friend Lucy are both alive because of the hospital and charity," Faye said.

"I want to raise pennies to help buy things to help children who aren't well."

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