‘One of the real highlights was meeting inspiring people like you’: Kate’s touching message as she makes personal donation to boy in wheelchair she met on Ben Nevis

The Princess of Wales has made a special donation to support the fundraising of an 11-year-old paraplegic boy she met while completing the Three Peaks Challenge.

Kate chatted to Ted Haslam, whose father Paul carried her to Ben Nevis in a wheelchair, before posing for a group photo.

Last night, the future queen herself Visited JustGiving page and made a significant donation.

He wrote: ‘One of the real highlights of the Three Peaks Challenge was meeting inspiring people like you along the way. Huge congratulations to the whole team for raising money for such a great cause. C.’

Kate has chosen to keep the exact amount a secret, but the Daily Mail understands it is around £1,000 to £2,000.

Ted has now raised more than £13,000 for Molly Olly’s Wishes, a charity supporting children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses in the UK.

Kate looks at Ted’s wheelchair mascot showing his support for charity Molly Ollys

Kate chats with Ted Haslam, who summited Ben Nevis with his team of helpers

Catherine supported Ted with a private donation – the amount was confidential – but it is understood to be more than £1,000

Kate encountered Ted Haslam, who was being pushed and carried by 15 friends and relatives, including his father, after climbing to the top of Britain’s highest mountain.

He was also climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon) within 24 hours from Saturday evening.

The Princess joked that she was “not in the best of mood” after approaching the boy from Sutton Coldfield and asking him: “How are you Ted?” Aren’t you very cold?’

Kate added: ‘So many people standing around in their t-shirts! Why are they doing this? Who is this, your lucky mascot? Does it have a name?’

Someone from Ted’s team explained that it was a charity mascot Molly OllysPlay equipment was provided to Ted while he was being treated in the hospital.

Kate then asked the boy: ‘Have you been here before?’ Ted replied: ‘Never, this is my first time.’ And Kate said: ‘It’s a shame you can’t see any of the views.’

He added: ‘I’m really impressed, you’ve reached the second summit. Great, good for you. We will applaud you. Hope to see you at Snowdon. Good luck.’

Kate talks to Ted and his team during their trip to Ben Nevis for the Three Peaks Challenge

Ted’s team completed the challenge in 30 hours, raising money for Molly Ollys, a Warwick-based charity that supports children with life-threatening illnesses.

Ted, whose father was a mountain climber, was paralyzed at the age of three and was diagnosed with an aggressive spinal tumor that was doubling in size every 24 hours.

During Kate’s challenge, she also spoke to a hiker who told the princess she was “so inspiring” and Kate congratulated her on getting to the top of Ben Nevis.

Jacky Leung said he initially saw two camera operators walking uphill, and one of them set up the camera to take a photo of “a very thin female hiker.”

He soon realized that the woman was the future queen and described her as a ‘non-speaker’ and that he ‘couldn’t respond with any proper name to greet her’.

Mr Leung added that he was “confused and excited at the time” but Kate then started talking to him and they had a brief conversation.

Kate said: ‘Hello, are you okay?’ Mr Leung replied: ‘I’m fine, I’ll just wait for my friends.’ The Princess then asked him: ‘Did you get to the top?’

Mr Leung said: ‘Yes, we were lucky to make it to the top.’ Kate told him: ‘Well done!’ He replied: ‘Thank you! You’re so inspiring!’ And Kate said: ‘Thank you!’

He said the princess then ‘came up in a show of strength with a very strong spirit’, adding that ‘not many people recognized Her Majesty as she ascended to the top’.

Mr Leung said his friends ‘never noticed she had passed’, adding that completing the challenge was a ‘serious test of courage’ and that Kate ‘showed tremendous strength and spirit’.

He said it had been an ‘epic day’ on Ben Nevis where ‘all coincidences happened’ and added: ‘Our deepest respect to His Majesty for such an incredible feat of endurance!’

Kate embarked on a grueling ‘personal’ trip this weekend to raise money for a cancer charity and ‘explore life beyond diagnosis’.

She took on the challenge alone, was supported by Mountain Rescue along the way, and was eventually greeted by her husband the Prince of Wales, children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, parents Carole and Michael Middleton, and brother James Middleton.

Walker Jacky Leung said he saw the Princess of Wales walking towards Ben Nevis at the weekend

Kensington Palace said they believed this trip was a royal first as the princess was the first member of the Royal Family to complete the Three Peaks.

The Royal Family celebrated the initiative with the following post on the monarchy’s official social media account: ‘Congratulations to the Princess of Wales.’

Kate explained that she embarked on the walk not just as a physical endeavor but also to ‘give something back’ and raise awareness of the wider impacts of serious illness.

In a video released last night, the princess said she had met some ‘incredible people’ living with cancer and its aftermath, adding: ‘I know personally how difficult this journey is.’

The princess, who was recorded speaking before starting the walk, said: ‘A lot of people have asked me why I’m doing this challenge and it’s partly personal.

‘I’m so grateful to be here, to be strong enough to walk these hills. But more importantly, it’s about giving something back and really appreciating the incredible work that’s being done in this country.’

Kate also posted a written message on social media announcing that she had successfully completed the walk.

He was photographed smiling broadly at the foggy peak of Ben Nevis on Saturday evening, wearing a cape, hat and hood, and trekking poles on his back.

The princess was seen wearing the sapphire and diamond engagement ring that belonged to William’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Princess wrote: ‘I took part in the National Three Peaks Challenge not just as a physical challenge, but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and give something back.

‘Royal Marsden is a place that means so much to me and whose care and expertise will change the lives of so many people.

‘Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness of the deeper impacts of serious diseases and the importance of holistic healthcare.’

Kate embarks on grueling ‘personal’ trip to raise money for cancer charity

Princess says she has met some ‘incredible people’ living with and with cancer

Sharing her own experience with cancer, she described how she personally understands that the disease can affect every aspect of someone’s life.

The Princess added: ‘Every year hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear words no one else wants to hear.

‘What comes next is a road that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Difficulties are rippling outward; It touches on families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts.

‘Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally.’

Kate hiked 23 miles with a total elevation gain of over 10,000 feet and a driving distance of 462 miles between locations.

He had previously been treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has launched a specially designed fundraising page for people across the country to donate.

The money raised will be used to help more cancer patients benefit from holistic care.

The princess, who has long campaigned on the importance of spending time outdoors, wrote: ‘After all, courage is not just about moving forward.

‘It’s about knowing how to stay grounded, connected and present, whatever the terrain or landscape you’re walking on.

‘Together, we can stand up for everyone living with cancer, ensuring no one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported.

‘Please know that you are not alone.’

Kate, who signed her personal message with the letter ‘C’, also talked about the benefits of holistic therapies.

The money raised will also support research into how holistic care can best work to help patients alongside clinical cancer treatments to create a blueprint for change so that supportive care becomes a standard part of cancer care nationally.

Fundraiser link available Here.

Kate was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024 and underwent chemotherapy, announcing she was in remission 17 months ago in January 2025.

The physical challenge marks the latest milestone for the princess, who has slowly returned to royal duties and resumed international travel with a business trip to Italy last month.

Dame Cally Palmer, chief executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘The Princess’ commitment to The Royal Marsden stems from her deep empathy for those facing similar challenges and we are extremely grateful for this generous support, which will make a difference to the lives of so many cancer patients and their families.’