Documentary film of SSAFA's Ice and Fire challenge forefronts men’s mental health

17 January 2026

“If I hadn't talked to people about the fact that I was having a hard time, then I wouldn't be here now.”

A new Channel 4 documentary follows four high-profile military veterans and SSAFA supporters on “one of the toughest ultra marathons on the planet”. But it’s not just physical endurance that’s the focus; the show shines a light on men’s mental health.

Please note: the documentary includes discussion of mental health challenges, combat trauma, and suicide.

Arctic Adventure: Ultimate Survival follows UK Special Forces soldier and star of SAS: Who Dares Wins Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox, former Royal Marines Commando Sniper Aldo Kane, Military Cross recipient Brian Wood, and Iraq veteran and burns survivor Karl Hinett, as they race to traverse 500km of Swedish Lapland in just 10 days.

The team undertook the Arctic Ultra – or Project Fire and Ice – in March 2025 to raise funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. It saw them battle 18-hour days skiing and hiking in -25°C temperatures while carrying 45kg of gear, all while negotiating, and outwardly talking about, their past traumas and the mental health struggles they continue to manage today.

The programme will air on Monday 19 January at 10pm, immediately after SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Julie McCarthy, Director of Welfare Operations at SSAFA, said: “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. 

“There is real power to the honesty shared in the group of friends; as they say themselves, without sharing what’s going on for them at the time it’s most needed, they would not find the help and support they need. Stigma around mental health is still the stumbling block for so many but especially for men – and especially for men in the military community.”

SSAFA exists to make sure that the Armed Forces community never battle alone. Project Fire and Ice has raised £190,000 for SSAFA to date, helping to fund often life-changing support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families in their time of need.

Jonah Weston, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 said: “Male suicide and mental health in the UK is an unsung scandal. Seeing Foxy, Aldo and friends address this head-on during their amazing Arctic odyssey sends a simple but powerful message. Suffering in silence is a killer. Connection saves lives.”

Anyone in the Armed Forces community affected by the issues raised in the program (or have any other problems they wish to discuss) please contact SSAFA.  Our Forcesline advisors are available to help with mental health challenges and stress Monday to Thursday 09:00-17:00 and Friday 09:00-16:00 (excluding bank holidays) on freephone 0800 260 6780, or online.

For urgent emotional support outside SSAFA opening hours the Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123.