UPDATE: Ellis and Poppy have reached the summit and crossed the finishing lines in their respective challenges, making nearly £1,500 for Ipswich and Colchester NHS charities.

Mum Jane reported: 'Poppy was the first one to finish her challenge this afternoon.The last 2kms was powered through around the village as Poppy imagined running to the end of the Embankment, passing the London Eye and Big Ben and sprinted to a makeshift finish line put together outside our local pub.

Late this afternoon Ellis completed his final 100 stair climbs to recreate reaching the summit of Mount Everest. To celebrate such an achievement he had a Zoom call with Grandparents, family and friends as he strode up the final 800ft so they could encourage him along to the end. Party Poppers & Cotton Wool snowballs marked the final climb and beaming smiles from everyone involved.

Thank you to every single one of you for your messages, encouragement, support, likes, shares, cheers, posters, party poppers, cake and donations. It has been amazing to feel like you've been with the kids every step of the way.'

UPDATE: Ellis and Poppy are within sight of their respective finishing lines today.

Poppy has just 2.9 miles left to complete the London marathon distance.

Full story here:

A pair of peninsula siblings have taken on two of the toughest endurance challenges possible, while maintaining social distancing.

Nine-year-old Ellis Humphrey is climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest, while sister Poppy, aged seven, is running the London Marathon distance, at their Shotley Gate home.

While Ellis is hiking up the 8.66ft high staircase 3,350 times inside ten days, Poppy is trotting 5km round her garden each day to reach the 26.2 mile marathon distance.

The pair started their bold bids last Friday, and are aiming to complete their challenges on Sunday, May 3. They hope to raise as much money as possible for the Ipswich and Colchester Hospitals Charity, and had already raised £960 from 30 supporters by Day Five, on their way to a target of £1,000.

Ellis, who also plays football for Holbrook Hornets when not in lockdown, walked up the highest mountain Wales, Mount Snowdon, last year and set his sights on Everest, the highest in the world.

He tackles the climb three times a day, completing 120 steps each time, totalling 360 for the day, and is slightly ahead of halfway up climbing the equivalent of reaching the Matterhorn peak.

"I thought I would do this just for fun," said Ellis. "But I heard the need to support the NHS so came up with an idea so I didn't tire my legs out for nothing. I should get sponsored to raise money for the NHS who are saving the lives of so many people."

Younger sister Poppy, who had planned to run 5km in the great Local Run at Alton Water before it had to be postponed due to Covid-19, has another two reasons to put donations to the same charity.

Poppy said: "Both my grandmas were nurses, so I know how wonderful everyone who works for the NHS are. I also remember a lovely ambulance man who helped me in Belfast once."

Mum Jane examined how a three-year-old Poppy struggled with her breathing during the night while the family were in Belfast to visit the Titanic Museum, and needed a nebuliser. An ambulance man called Eamonn came to the rescue and even visited her the next day to ensure she was okay, leaving her a magazine, and a Titanic book for Ellis.

Proud mum and dad, Jane and Andrew, are keeping the youngsters company in their bids, while motivating them with songs such as 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough', relaying messages of encouragement and providing regular updates to supporters on their Just Giving page, which is open for donations.