Four British veterans, including Jason 'Foxy' Fox and Aldo Kane, have completed a grueling 514km ultra-marathon in Swedish Lapland to raise funds for SSAFA while addressing toxic masculinity and mental health issues. Their experiences are featured in the new Channel 4 documentary 'Arctic Adventure: Ultimate Survival,' which airs tonight. The series highlights their personal struggles with trauma and the importance of seeking help.
The documentary 'Arctic Adventure: Ultimate Survival' follows Jason 'Foxy' Fox, a former Special Forces soldier known from 'SAS Who Dares Wins'; Aldo Kane, a Royal Marines Commando sniper veteran; Brian Wood, a Military Cross recipient; and Karl Hinett, an Invictus Games medalist. Together, they undertook Project Fire and Ice, an endurance challenge in the harsh conditions of Swedish Lapland.
Over ten days, the group skied, hiked, and ran more than 18 hours daily, pulling 45kg sledges loaded with food and gear through -25°C temperatures. They camped on frozen lakes and stayed in remote Arctic lodges, covering 514km in total. This effort, completed in March 2025, aimed to raise money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Each participant shared candid insights into their mental health battles. Fox reflected on lost comrades, saying, "I've got mates who are no longer with us, who would give anything to be alive again and to feel the pain and the hardship that we were enduring. And so that's what keeps me going. It's like remembering my friends who were no longer with us."
Kane emphasized redefining masculinity, noting, "[The show is] much more about what is masculinity, what is truly being vulnerable as a bloke? We know that suicide rates are super high in men, it's the biggest killer of men under 50 and... three out of four people that kill themselves are men. For me anyways, it's about suicide prevention and positive mental health."
Hinett, who suffered 37% burns from a petrol bomb in Basra in 2005 at age 18, used the challenge to mark 20 years since his injury. He stated, "The crucial thing that it taught me was you get confronted with a problem, you don't just back away from it. You learn how to tackle it and overcome it."
Wood, who values such challenges for his well-being, said, "I challenge myself... because it's what looks after my mental health and being outside in the fresh air definitely helps me. Movement is medicine and I want to continue to push." He aims to raise £1 million for charities through ongoing efforts.
Julie McCarthy, SSAFA's Director of Welfare Operations, praised the openness: "As well as watching four friends struggle against the bracing weather and challenging conditions, it is inspiring to also see four 'tough guys' openly talking about personal issues that have affected them and how they have learned to cope. Stigma around mental health is still the stumbling block for so many but especially for men – and especially for men in the military community."
The veterans described the ordeal as their toughest yet, hoping to encourage others to discuss mental health and seek support. SSAFA offers help via Forcesline at 0800 260 6780, and Samaritans provide 24/7 support at 116 123.
