9-year-old James to climb UK’s tallest mountain Ben Nevis to ‘help farmers in need’

13/10/25 - News

9 year old James Matthews, a farmer's son from Essex, is preparing to climb the UK’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, to raise vital funds for The Farming Community Network (FCN) – a UK-wide charity supporting farmers through difficult times and periods of change.

James, who will take on this mighty challenge during the October half-term holiday (27th – 31st October), has shown a huge amount of determination throughout his life - after being born without an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

In 2021, when he was just 5, he underwent surgery to create an artificial ACL using tissue from his thigh.

It took a further 2 years of physiotherapy to get his knee back to full strength, which his mother Mary-anne describes as ‘very hard’, with James missing out on playground fun with his friends.

In 2023, as soon as he was fit enough, James made it his mission to conquer Snowdon. He then went on to reach the top of Scafell Pike in 2024, and this year his sights are set on Ben Nevis.

Ben Nevis, located in the Scottish Highlands, is an impressive 1,345m tall and is the highest mountain in the UK.

Mary-anne says: “At the summit of Scotland’s most demanding mountain, he'll have climbed through unpredictable weather, navigated treacherous rocky terrain and pushed his physical limits to the max - all on a knee that doctors rebuilt from scratch.

“When James sets his mind on something, he will do it. His father, Ian, and I couldn’t be prouder that he wants to help fellow farmers in their time of need.”

James is the 5th generation to live on the family farm near Battlesbridge, Essex, and he is already aware that farmers are facing uncertain and challenging times.

James said: “I want to raise money for FCN, to help farmers in need.”

James keeps active both on and off the farm. He enjoys feeding the cows, especially rolling out the hay bales. His training regularly takes him on circular walks through the local countryside.

He knows that Ben Nevis is going to be extremely hard work, but when he’s tired or in pain, he keeps going by ‘thinking about the cows and how they’re doing at home, and looking forward to the next chocolate break’.

Mary-anne hopes that anyone who sees him training, or even on the big day itself, will cheer him on. She said: “His resilience mirrors the levels of resilience required to be a farmer. He’s always cheerful, and he sees the good in everything.”

Alex Phillimore, Head of Communications and Development at The Farming Community Network, said: “Everyone at FCN would like to thank James, Ian and Mary-anne for their support. We will all be cheering James on and wishing him the best of luck as he climbs Ben Nevis. His determination and resilience are an inspiration.”