🏔️ I’M CLIMBING THE UAE’S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN — FOR MARK'S LEGACY

1,934 metres. Across the border into Oman. Beyond the public summit. And approximately 3,500 miles from the mountain I was supposed to be climbing.

Last month, an incredible team of supporters climbed Ben Nevis for The Mark Williams Foundation.

I desperately wanted to be there with them.

But being nearly 3,500 miles away in Dubai meant that simply wasn't possible.

Anyone who knows me will also know there was absolutely no chance I was using that as an excuse to sit this challenge out.

So, on 25 October, it’s my turn.

I’m taking on Jebel Jais the highest mountain in the UAE.

And I don't mean driving up Jebel Jais, walking to the public viewpoint, taking a photograph and heading home.

We’re going beyond the public peak and attempting the full height of the mountain, continuing towards the true summit at approximately 1,934 metres, which takes us across the border into Oman.

We have deliberately planned a challenge that gives me the closest equivalent we can create here to taking on Ben Nevis, around 1,900 metres of climbing and hours on foot through the Hajar Mountains.

And it comes with a very different set of challenges.

We’ll set off before sunrise to try to beat the worst of the heat, but we'll still be facing hours of physical exertion in Middle Eastern temperatures.

There is very little natural shade.

We'll need to carry litres of water and electrolytes because dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are genuine risks.

Then there is the mountain itself.

Steep ascents. Loose rock. Scree. Uneven terrain. Exposed ridgelines. Sharp drops. Long stretches of remote mountain and a very long descent on already exhausted legs.

As we climb, the conditions change too. Temperatures at elevation can be considerably lower than at ground level and exposed sections can bring strong winds — meaning we have to prepare for both the heat lower down and very different conditions at the top.

Navigation matters. Hydration matters. Pace matters. And with parts of the route being remote, getting something wrong isn't quite as simple as calling it a day and jumping in a taxi.

This isn't the tourist version of Jebel Jais.

And that's exactly how I wanted it.

Because the team who climbed Ben Nevis pushed themselves for Mark and for this Foundation.

I wanted my challenge to mean something too.

I won't have the Ben Nevis team beside me.

I won't have the Scottish weather.

And I definitely won't have the celebratory pint waiting at the bottom. 😂

But I'll have exactly the same reason for putting one foot in front of the other.

Mark's legacy. 🧡

The Mark Williams Foundation exists because something devastating happened to our family, but we decided that devastation wasn't going to be the end of the story.

We now work to support fathers and families when they feel they have nowhere else to turn, protect children's right to meaningful relationships with loving fathers, and give young people the mentoring, confidence and opportunities they need to build their futures.

Every person we help becomes another part of Mark's legacy.

And on 25 October, every single metre I climb will be for him.

So I'm asking for your support.

If you've followed the Foundation, supported me, knew Mark, or simply believe in what we're trying to build in his name

please donate.

£5. £10. £20. Whatever you can afford.

The Ben Nevis team have done their mountain.

Now it's time for me to do mine.

1,934 metres.

The UAE's highest mountain.

Beyond the public summit.

Across the border into Oman.

For Mark. 🏔️🧡

Different mountain. Same mission.