AN eight-year-old once dubbed the 'pint-sized hero' is preparing to climb Snowdon to raise money for Help for Heroes.

Little Alfie McAnespie shot to fame when he became the youngest Help for Heroes fundraiser when he was aged just one.

As a 16-month old, he walked one mile unaided and raised £1,000 for the soldiers' charity and was name-checked by Prince Harry and then-PM Gordon Brown.

Now he plans to take on the 1,085-metre peak to raise £6,000 so the charity can buy former Para John Prosser - who was seriously injured after a series of parachute jump hard landings - an adapted wheelchair.

Alfie, a Montgomery Junior School pupil, aims to complete the trek in July and will be accompanied by a small security team.

When he reaches the summit he plans to Facetime Welshman Mr Prosser to tell him: "I've made it."

Proud mum, Anja McAnespie, 44, who is married to husband Lee, a 3 Para Officer, said: "When he said he wanted to do it, I said: 'Poppet, that's nice, but you really will have to raise some money.'

"But he said it was what he wanted to do.

"He's a very kind little boy and he's not really your typical eight-year-old. He always wants to help.

"He will have team with him but really, it's just going to be Alfie doing it."

The little explorer, who lives in St Michael's Road, Colchester, has also received the backing of the Bear Grylls Survival Academy.

Alfie, who has an older brother, Anthony, and sister, Kelly-Louise, 24, chose to help Mr Prosser when he was living at Aldershot Barracks, in Hampshire and witnessed Mr Prosser using the swimming pool to train for the Invictus Games.

After completing his exercise, Mr Prosser was having difficulty getting out of the pool, and Alfie began encouraging him.

When the pair began talking once he'd got out, Mr Prosser explained why he needed a specially adapted wheelchair and Alfie became determine to help.

The eight-year-old said: "I am very much looking forward to it and I'm going to start training with my dad.

"My aim is to raise £6,000 for John and I am determined to do it."

To sponsor the heroic Alfie, go to justgiving.com/AlfieHeroSnowdon.

His family is also hoping a Colchester business will come forward to sponsor his expedition.

To help, call The Gazette on 01206 508478.