Why I’m Climbing

On January 13, 2017, my wife and I were eagerly awaiting the birth of our second child, Jacob. What should have been a joyous day turned into a heart-breaking tragedy. Jacob experienced complications during labour, and due to being unexpectedly breached, he suffered a lack of oxygen for over 20 minutes, resulting in severe brain damage known as hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Despite the heroic efforts of the incredible staff at St. Michael's Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Bristol, Jacob passed away in my arms at just five days old. I will never forget the helplessness I felt as my fiancé and I clung to each other, staring into his strong, handsome face as he slipped away. Jacob’s life was short but profoundly meaningful, and our family vowed to honour his memory.

This experience left us shattered, grappling with unanswerable questions and enduring a wave of grief we had never known. Cots for Tots, a charity that supports families like ours, was a beacon of hope in that dark time, providing vital resources to families facing the unthinkable.

But Jacob’s story is not the only chapter in my life that fuels this climb.

For over two decades, I fought a soul-crushing battle with drug addiction. Addiction was my daily mountain—a relentless cycle of despair, needles, and hopelessness. I lived in the shadows, surviving on the streets of Britain and Europe, trapped in a Groundhog Day existence where the only constant was pain.

In 2012, I found the courage to surrender. To surrender, I learned, was not defeat but victory—it meant stepping onto the winning side. Since that day, I’ve been in recovery, reclaiming my life one step at a time. Organisations like M.A.T.E., which focus on mental health and addiction recovery for men, resonate deeply with my journey.

The Challenge

Climbing Ecuador’s volcanoes is no small feat. Chimborazo, the tallest of the five, will push me to my limits at 6,263 meters above sea level. These mountains symbolise the struggles we face in life: steep, unrelenting, and often leaving us gasping for breath. But with preparation, determination, and support, they can be conquered.

Training for this expedition will begin immediately and is fundamental to ensuring a successful summit. The physical challenges ahead reflect the emotional mountains I’ve climbed, and each step I take will remind me of the resilience it takes to face life’s adversities.

The Charities

Cots for Tots: Cots for Tots is a home from home for families of sick and premature babies at Bristol’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital , where they support the South West region's critically ill babies by providing pioneering equipment and facilities, family comforts, accommodation and more.

Cots for Tots House is our 12 bedroomed family accommodation house, minutes from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Cots for Tots House provides free accommodation 365 days per year for all family members who need to stay in close proximity to their sick baby.

Men and Their Emotions (M.A.T.E.): A charity dedicated to supporting men struggling with mental health challenges and addiction. Their work aligns with my personal journey, offering hope and recovery tools to those in need.

How You Can Help

By donating to this fundraiser, you’re not only supporting two vital causes—you’re helping to honour Jacob’s memory and giving hope to families and individuals who face the mountains in their own lives. Every pound you contribute will make a difference, funding neonatal care, mental health support, and addiction recovery.

Life’s challenges can feel insurmountable, but together, we can make a difference. Please join me on this journey by donating, sharing this fundraiser, or simply spreading awareness (#honouringjacob) of these important causes.

Together, we can turn life’s mountains into victories.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and belief in this mission.

Love, Jacob's family!