PLEASE NOTE: This Just Giving page is for donations only towards supporting children 's mental health and not for sponsorship opportunities of the trek as shown on the Walking With My Bear website.

Jonathan Kattenberg, AKA, “Bear Man,” is one of the UK’s leading adventurers. He spends much of his time climbing mountains and trekking through forests and alpine deserts, as part of his work providing trekking adventures across the world.

At 55 years old, his fitness level is comparable to a man half his age. As part of his training regime he can regularly be spotted dragging one, sometimes two, car tyres from ropes attached to his waist for 30-50 miles a day.

The purpose is to simulate the pulk (sled) he will be pulling when in 2026 he undertakes a challenge to break the world speed record for trekking solo to the South Pole in the shortest ever time.

The reason behind this gruelling journey that will test him both physically and mentally, is two-fold; to inspire others by demonstrating that life can be even more exciting when you reach middle-age and to never give up on your dreams, and to help provide support for children who have experienced domestic abuse and live in women’s refuges.

Raising awareness of the impact of domestic abuse on children and supporting these vulnerable children's mental health.

The children will have witnessed or experienced emotional, violent, or sexual abuse, and usually arrive in refuge traumatised and with no possessions.

Every year in the UK over 20,000 children arrive in women’s refuges.

Children who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse often face ongoing mental health challenges in adulthood, including eating disorders, depression and anxiety, substance and/or alcohol abuse, they may also self harm, and in extreme cases take their own lives. Sadly, there is a inadequate mental health support for these kids, and where there is support this can be dependent on age. This is despite these children being some of the most vulnerable individuals in society.

This is why I want to raise funds to help provide qualified mental health support for the many thousands who may wait for up to two years to see someone.

The costs of my solo trek to the South Pole including flights, pulk, equipment, clothing, marketing, and all administration is estimated at £160,000 -£180,000. All profits after costs will be donated to provide mental health support for children living in women’s refuges in the UK after fleeing domestic abuse.

This trek is also about raising awareness of these all to often, forgotten children.

Whilst all endeavours will be made by Jonathan Kattenberg to complete the trek to the South Pole, in the event that it cannot go ahead due to circumstances beyond his control but where the trek can take place at another time, no refunds will be provided.

This Just Giving page is for donations only and not for sponsorship opportunities as shown on the Walking With My Bear website.

In the event that the trek cannot go ahead due to ongoing physical injury, no refunds will be allocated but the funds will be allocated to professionally supporting children in refuge's mental health.