Toddler Jackson Hill made his first steps count by trekking across the Isle of Skye to raise money for cyclone-hit families in Vanuatu.

Jackson, who turned one on February 12, joined his parents, Richard and Sam, from Ely, to undertake a 9km sponsored hike on the Scottish Isle of Skye on April 2.

The aim was to raise money for Unicef, the world’s leading children’s organisation, to help those affected by Cyclone Pam, which hit Vanuatu on Friday, March 13, - the day Jackson walked on his own for the first time.

It was one of the worst natural disasters in the island’s history, with torrential rain and winds striking the area at up to 165 miles per hour.

Mrs Hill and her husband formed an attachment for Vanuatu when they spent two months there during six months of travelling in 2009.

The Hill family set a £250 target but they have already raised more than double that and are hoping the fund will rise even further.

Mr Hill said: “A few years ago my wife and I were very fortunate to spend some months on the islands of Vanuatu.

“It is an extraordinary country with a huge variety of cultures, languages and traditions spread across its many islands. While we were there we experienced huge kindness and generosity and it is a tragedy to see these beautiful places and people hit so hard.”

Mrs Hill said: “Jackson took his first steps on the day Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu so we decided to support him to make his first steps count.

“We are really proud of Jackson. He was determined to walk as much as he could and kept smiling the whole way.”

Although Jackson has now completed the walk, his sponsorship is open until April 25, if you would like to sponsor him visit: http:fundraise.unicef.org.ukMyPageJackson-Hill-Making-my-first-steps-count.

You can also follow Jackson’s challenge on his blog: makingmyfirststepscount.blogspot.com