Yukon 1000: 1,000 Miles for Mental Health 
 
This year is one of the biggest of my life. I’ve recently left the British Army, started a new career with Avon Protection, bought a new house, and my fiancée and I are expecting our first child a baby boy in December. 
 
It’s been an incredible time of change, but also one that’s made me think deeply about the importance of mental health, resilience, and having the right support around you. Change, even positive change, can be challenging and I’ve seen first-hand how vital it is that people have somewhere to turn when life feels overwhelming. 
 
That’s why I’ve decided to take on the Yukon 1000 the world’s toughest endurance paddle race. It’s 1,000 miles through the Canadian and Alaskan wilderness, completely self-supported. No checkpoints, no resupply just grit, teamwork, and determination. 
 
I’m doing it to raise funds and awareness for Heads Up Charity, who focus on men’s mental health helping men build confidence, community, and conversation around wellbeing. Their work genuinely changes lives, and I want this challenge to help them reach even more people. 
 
My goal is to raise £10,000 to support their programmes. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to that goal and helps Heads Up continue their vital mission. 
 
I’m proud to have Avon Protection’s support in sharing this journey and I hope my story encourages others to speak up, reach out, and support one another. 
 
Please follow along, share the story, and if you can, donate to help us reach both finish lines the end of the Yukon and our fundraising target. 
 
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Mark – I was lucky enough to complete the race last year with my wife, Julie, as part of Team Bristol Train. It was a spectacular experience, brutal and joyful in equal measure. I had not planned to race this year but have been training with Robin for months so when his partner, Warren, had to drop out, I was honoured and more than delighted to step in. I do not know about ritual purification (Misogi) but I can say the world shifts when you hit Lake Laberge, and by day five something inside you will be changed forever. Knowing what is to come does not make it any easier……
 
1,000 miles. Zero shortcuts. One goal: supporting mental health with Heads Up.

Tom Hodgkiss

Charles Peebles

Linda Tyley

Ben Watkins

Oliver Smee

Ellie Clarkson

Sam J

David Wilson

Anonymous

Hannah Marsh

Steph Beesly

Charlie Jones

Hugh Dalton

Eduard Gaspar

Josh Souber

Nick Hunter

Wayne Fell

Charles Land

Martin Piper

Yukon 1000: 1,000 Miles for Mental Health

Just £130£ to go! Make an impact.

Yukon 1000: 1,000 Miles for Mental Health

Just £130 to go!
Make an impact.