A RYDAL Penrhos pupil has scaled the equivalent of Mount Everest one stair at a time to help beat eating disorders.

In just eight days, Sam Bixby, 17, has completed the daunting feat of climbing the world’s highest mountain using stairs at his Llandegfan, Anglesey home during the lockdown.

Raising money for the eating disorder charity BEAT - a cause that is close to the pupil’s heart as his sister has suffered from anorexia over the last seven years - Sam smashed his original £3,500 goal by £1018.

In a post on the final day, Monday June 2, Sam wrote: “I have have finished my climb.

“I reached the top with a smile on my face and a flag on my hand. I thank everyone who has supported me during this endeavour and I hope that we might be able to raise a bit more money for this very deserving charity.”

To achieve this impressive feat - a normal Everest climb normally takes around 40 days on average - Sam has been climbing stairs for anywhere between five and six hours a day.

Despite the significant strain on his calves, which have become very sore during the initial stages of the climb, Sam - who is a member of the RGC youth Set Up, as well as playing for Colwyn Bay Rugby Club and North Wales Cricket League side Menai Bridge 2nds - soldiered on to finish the ascent in his predicted timeframe.

Sally-Ann Harding, head of Rydal Penrhos senior school, said: “This is a monumental task that Sam has undergone in the name of charity and everyone here at Rydal Penrhos is enormously proud of him.

“Some of the stories regarding our pupils’ fundraising and lending support to the community during the coronavirus pandemic have been so heart-warming to hear.”

To donate visit the ‘Samuel Bixby Beat Eating Disorders’ page justgiving.com.