Mollie Hughes, who on May 16, 2017, became the world’s youngest woman to climb Mount Everest (8848m) from both sides, has become one of very few adults to be the recipient of a prestigious gold Blue Peter badge.
The rare accolade was announced live on air last night during the CBBC Blue Peter programme. The inspirational 26-year old climber was in the Blue Peter garden recounting her recent experience of ascending the north side of the world’s highest mountain.
The Edinburgh-based climber, who works for the outdoor retail adventure specialist Tiso, had previously ascended the south side of Mount Everest in 2012 at the age of just 21.
Mollie’s gold Blue Peter badge
Each year, a handful of gold Blue Peter badges are awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements, bravery, inspiration and citizenship.
Tim Peake the British astronaut, Oscar-winning film director Steven Spielberg and children’s author JK Rowling are among relatively few previous adult recipients of CBBC Blue Peter’s coveted top award that is a gold-plated brooch in the shape of the iconic Blue Peter ship logo.
Mollie Hughes (second right) with Blue Peter presenters. Pic credit: Blue Peter
The award came as a complete surprise for the unassuming Mollie, who in May was photographed holding a blue coloured Blue Peter badge on the summit of the world’s highest peak.
She said: “I am both surprised and humbled by this super cool award of a gold Blue Peter badge. I’m absolutely thrilled. You could say I’m on top of the world – again!
“It’s wonderful to be recognised in this way, but more importantly I hope my record-breaking Everest climb and this gold Blue Peter badge will really inspire young people, and in particular girls, to realise that it’s always possible to follow and achieve your dream.”
Ewan Vinnicombe, editor of Blue Peter, said: “Mollie’s exceptional achievement is an inspiration to our viewers. Our gold Blue Peter badge is very well deserved. We’ve been following Mollie’s story this year and were very pleased to see a Blue Peter badge make it to the summit of Everest with her.”