AN uncle who powered through a sickness bug and narrowly avoided frostbite has tackled the three highest peaks in the UK.

Gary Palmer braved the Three Peak Challenge to raise funds for his nephew, Oliver, who has a number of auto-immune conditions.

Oliver MacPherson, seven, from Layer-de-la-Haye, suffers from Type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease.

He befriended a Cockapoo puppy, Barnaby, and with a bit of training the canine companion will be able to improve his life drastically.

Mr Palmer, 35, of Norman Close, Marks Tey, said: “It was a fantastic experience, we definitely put our bodies through it.

“We got through with sheer determination and we are all very tired.”

They faced terrible weather conditions, including snow, and picked up a number of injuries along the way.

His friend Andrew Bailie, who also took part in the challenge, suffered a groin and ankle injury, and the whole group caught a sickness bug.

Mr Palmer said: “It was a tough challenge but we conquered it, unfortunately we didn’t make it in under 24 hours, we did it in 28 hours and 40 minutes.”

Money raised during the challenge will help Oliver who was diagnosed with his medical conditions when he was five.

He doesn’t know when his blood sugar levels change.

Diabetic alert dogs can react to blood levels through smelling blood samples, and they can also be trained to help fetch vital medical supplies.

Barnaby is having obedience classes before being trained to react to Oliver’s different blood levels.

Barnaby has passed basic training and now needs to get the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme awards prior to being put forward for a Diabetic Alert Dog training programme.

Mr Palmer said: “It’s amazing and if it all goes well it could really make a difference to Oliver’s life.”

They have so far raised about £2,700 of their £3,000 target.

Mr Palmer said: “Having a trained dog would allow Oliver more independence as he gets older and provide an extra level of monitoring in picking up on hypo or hyper levels as early as possible.

“His diet is restricted so the places he can go to eat have to be monitored, but you wouldn’t know any different because he is a cheeky chap and he is good as gold.”

Gary, his brother Kevin, and friend Andrew Bailie, tackled Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

Gary said: “This was the hardest thing we have ever done, however, we all had a magnificent experience and we would like to thank the support which we have received from everybody who has donated.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gary-palmer.