A powerful new documentary from Channel 4 is set to showcase an extraordinary feat of endurance while tackling the critical issue of men's mental health head-on. The film follows four high-profile military veterans as they undertake one of the planet's most gruelling ultra-marathons to raise vital funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
The Ultimate Test: Fire and Ice in the Arctic
The programme, titled 'Arctic Adventure: Ultimate Survival', tracks a formidable team through 500 kilometres of Sweden's frozen Lapland wilderness. The participants, who took on the challenge in March 2025, had just ten days to complete the journey, dubbed 'Project Fire and Ice'. The team is comprised of Jason 'Foxy' Fox, a UK Special Forces soldier from Plymouth known from SAS: Who Dares Wins; former Royal Marines Commando Sniper Aldo Kane from Bristol; Military Cross recipient Brian Wood; and Iraq war veteran and burns survivor Karl Hinett.
Their mission was far more than a physical trial. For up to 18 hours a day, they skied and hiked in temperatures plunging to -25°C, each carrying a staggering 45kg of equipment. Alongside battling the extreme environment, the film captures their raw and candid conversations about past combat trauma, ongoing mental health struggles, and the spectre of suicide that affects so many in the military community.
Breaking the Silence on Mental Health
Julie McCarthy, Director of Welfare Operations at SSAFA, praised the veterans' openness. "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," she said. "There is real power to the honesty shared... Stigma around mental health is still the stumbling block for so many, but especially for men - and especially for men in the military community."
The documentary carries a trigger warning for its frank discussions of mental health challenges and suicide. Channel 4's Commissioning Editor, Jonah Weston, called male suicide and mental health in the UK "an unsung scandal," adding that the film sends a "simple but powerful message: Suffering in silence is a killer. Connection saves lives."
Broadcast Details and Lasting Impact
Viewers can watch this compelling journey when it airs on Monday, January 19, at 10pm on Channel 4, directly following SAS: Who Dares Wins. The physical endeavour has already made a significant impact, raising an impressive £190,000 for SSAFA to date. These funds provide life-changing support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
The documentary underscores SSAFA's core mission: to ensure the Armed Forces community never battles alone. By combining a story of immense physical resilience with vulnerable, honest dialogue, the programme aims to challenge stereotypes and encourage more people to seek help.
