Matilda Cottam, an eight-year-old fundraiser from Sheffield, conquered Mount Snowdon this summer to raise money for Pets As Therapy – and she encouraged her brother Thom, aged six, to join her. Donations now top £1,400!

The challenge continues what has become an annual summer fundraising tradition for Matilda, who came up with the idea of raising money to help animals herself.

Last year, she reached the summit of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, to raise money for a local animal sanctuary. This year, she chose Pets As Therapy and persuaded little brother Thom to join her for the climb.

“I found it harder than Scafell Pike," smiled Matilda. "I really enjoyed it because I got to walk into a cloud and I've never been in a cloud before. We did it because we are aiming to get a therapy dog for our school and we know that this charity can help us with this.”

Thom added: “I liked it because lots of people said, 'well done'. It was a tough climb, but I felt happy at the top.”

The family’s connection to the benefits of therapy dogs comes through Matilda and Thom’s parents, Richard and Amelia, who are both teachers.

They previously took their own family dog into school to read with children and saw first-hand the difference having a dog present could make.

They noticed anxiety levels reduce among pupils and saw one child, who had a genuine fear of dogs, gradually build her confidence and trust around their dog. Her experience was so positive that her family later went on to get a dog of their own.

It was seeing the impact their own dog could have on children that helped inspire the family to support Pets As Therapy.

Alongside raising money for the charity, Matilda and Thom hope their efforts will help their own school, Penistone St John's CE Primary School, benefit from visits from a PAT Dog in the future.

“It would help some students come to school and feel ready to learn if they had a PAT Dog there,” Matilda said.