Freddy and James served together in the British Army’s Household Division and have witnessed first-hand the lasting impact of military service on mental health. Too many of our friends and fellow soldiers have struggled—and in some cases, become casualties—of an invisible battle that continues long after the fighting ends.

As the long-term effects of conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan continue to surface, government support for veterans is in decline. This growing gap must be bridged by charities like Head Up, whose work is vital in providing the care and support our community needs and deserves.

We will be competing in the BTE ICE ULTRA, a 230km self-sufficient ultra marathon across the Arctic Circle. Spread over 5 days, average temperatures will be between -20 & -40 degrees Celsius. Only 40 people take part each year.

For more details, see here:

https://www.beyondtheultimate.co.uk/race/ice-ultra/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17663028368&gbraid=0AAAAAosvuV3WszSKbfIyl1sL1W1LAnCxZ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-pSEw4GZjgMV3pNQBh3TzzonEAAYASAAEgK4q_D_BwE

Head Up is an Armed Forces not-for profit charity, set up by five veterans to help serving and former Forces personnel build a positive mindset and increase their mental resilience.

Paul Minter, George Dagnall, Simon Moloney, Adam Carrier and Justin Davis have over 55 years of service between them, including a dozen combat operational tours. They have seen at close quarters how servicemen and women struggle with their mental health as a result of the high-pressure conditions they work under as standard, especially on the frontline. They are only too aware of how difficult it can be to access the right support for conditions like PTSD, depression and anxiety. And they all have friends who have taken their own lives because they couldn’t get the help they so desperately needed.

These five men are on a new mission – to empower members of the military community who are at breaking point to recover their mental health and enjoy a more positive, happier future.