An inspirational little boy with cerebral palsy has defied the odds by climbing Ben Lomond. Nero Giaffreda, seven, has limited use of the right-side of his body after being born with the condition. The disability means that the youngster, from Hamilton, has restricted movement - particularly in his right hand - and can also struggle to walk on his right leg.
He's never let that hold him back, though, and after learning to swim at the start of summer, Nero then decided to climb seven hills before taking on one of Scotland's largest mountains, Ben Lomond, on August 11. The Primary 4 pupil also practises Judo for a local inclusive team and the active lad has aspirations to compete for his country when he's older. Proud dad Mani, 37, told the Record: "Nero never ceases to amaze us.
He's such a determined, active little boy. He's never let his disability hold him back - and this has been his most adventurous summer ever. He learnt to swim, even though only one half of him works properly, and we decided to try hillwalking.
"He completed Arthur's Seat then seven or eight other hills - including Ben A'an and Conic Hill - all the way up to Ben Lomond. It was his idea to do the Munro, he was determined on doing it before going back to school. "We were discussing whether he thought he could do it - and when we finally tackled it, it took us 10 and a half hours to complete it.
We started in the sun and ended in the dark. "It's only supposed to take between six and eight hours and on the .