This April I’m turning 40, and to mark the milestone, on my birthday, I’ll be taking on the Acatenango overnight challenge in Guatemala — hiking to over 3,900 metres to watch Volcán Fuego erupt through the night.

At 3,976m Volcan Acatenango is the 3rd highest volcano in Central America.

This is a physically and mentally demanding challenge in high-altitude terrain and environment, and a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate reaching this milestone in my life. As I’ve got older, I’ve become increasingly aware of how important mental wellbeing is for men, and how often it’s overlooked or left unspoken.

That’s why I’ve decided to dedicate this challenge to raising funds for Men’s Minds Matter, a UK charity dedicated to supporting men’s mental health and preventing suicide.

If you’d like to support the fundraiser, any contribution — big or small — would mean a great deal.

Thank you for helping me turn this milestone into something that supports others.

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Update: On 05/04/26 at 5:38am, I reached the summit of Acatenango.

This was a two-day climb, and the final push to the summit the next morning was tough, with the altitude, cold, and fatigue really setting in, but reaching the top made it all worthwhile. Watching Volcán Fuego erupt through the night was an unforgettable and humbling sight.