SAS Stars take on brutal Arctic challenge for SSAFA in Channel 4 film shining a light on Forces Welfare
Ex-Forces stars talk about trauma, resilience, and the stigma around men’s mental health. The Arctic Ultra fundraiser raises £190,000 to support SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
A new Channel 4 documentary sees four elite ex-Forces stars take on one of the toughest ultra-marathons on the planet, but the real battle isn’t just against the ice. The film also shines a powerful light on men’s mental health.
**Trigger warning** 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, alongside 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 enduring harsh terrains in -25°C temperatures while carrying 45kg of gear – all while negotiating, and openly talking about, their past traumas and the mental health struggles they continue to manage today.
Brian ‘Woody’ Wood said: “The Arctic Ultra was one of the hardest things I’ve done, not just physically but mentally. We're all affected by mental health challenges, whether we’ve had our own struggles or know people who have suffered, and there’s still so much stigma around talking about it. But it’s so important we do; connecting with others and sharing what we're going through can literally save lives.”
The programme will air on Monday 19th 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.”
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 via ssafa.org.uk/get-help/forcesline. For urgent emotional support the Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123.