🏔 Mount Toubkal 2025: The Challenge Behind #CLYM

Aim

Grief is the mountain. We climb it together. Support 28 StrongMen on a life-changing trek up Mount Toubkal. #CLYM

The Challenge

Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa, standing tall at 4,167 metres (13,671 feet) above sea level. Located in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, just 60km south of Marrakesh, it offers a physically and mentally demanding challenge—making it the perfect symbol for our #ClimbYourMountain (#CLYM) campaign.

Climbing Toubkal isn’t just about summiting a mountain—it’s about overcoming the personal mountains of grief, loss, and mental struggle that so many StrongMen beneficiaries face daily.

🌍 Key Facts:

• Location: Toubkal National Park, High Atlas Mountains, Morocco
• Height: 4,167m (13,671 ft)
• Climb duration: Typically 2–3 days, depending on weather and acclimatisation

💪 Why It’s the Right Challenge

Mount Toubkal is physically tough, high altitude, rocky paths, and dramatic elevation gain. But it’s also mentally powerful. The journey reflects the emotional terrain our men walk through every day. For the 28 StrongMen participants, this climb is a symbol of healing, strength, and solidarity. It says: "You're not alone in this."

By supporting this challenge, you’re helping fund Man2Man Extra Time. A counselling service that gives bereaved men a path forward - one step at a time.

Between the 17th and 23rd September 28 Strongmen alongside staff and volunteers will be taking on this gruelling challenge to raise vital funds for Man2Man Extra Time.

Mount Toubkal Challenge Itinerary – #CLYM Campaign

Day 1: Arrival & Briefing

• Arrive at Riad Omar
• Pre-climb briefing
• Final kit check and packing
• Transfer to Imlil – the base village and starting point of the Mount Toubkal trek

Day 2: Ascent to Refuge

• Early start
• Begin gradual ascent into the High Atlas Mountains
• Catch your first views of Mount Toubkal
• Reach Toubkal Refuge by afternoon
• Settle in for the night ahead of the summit climb

Day 3: Summit Day

• 4:00 AM start
• Steep, demanding ascent – 4 to 5 hours of climbing
• Witness a breath taking sunrise over the Atlas Mountains
• Final push to reach the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167m)
• Group photos and time to take in the views
• Begin long descent back to Imlil
• Estimated arrival time in Imlil: 17:00
• A physically and emotionally challenging, unforgettable day 

About our Man2Man Extra Time Service

While peer support provides invaluable empathy and connection, some bereaved men require deeper, clinically informed intervention to process complex grief, longstanding trauma, or co-occurring mental health issues. Clinical research shows that professional counselling can significantly reduce symptoms of complicated grief and depression, improving long-term outcomes for those who might not respond fully to peer-led approaches alone. Yet, men often face barriers to accessing counselling. There is perceived stigma around “therapy,” concerns about confidentiality, and the cost of private sessions. All of which can leave them without crucial support at a critical time.

Man2Man Extra Time bridges this gap by offering up to 12 sessions of free, one-to-one counselling via secure video call. Key features include:

• Tailored, stepped-care approach: After triage and an in-depth assessment call, our Operations Manager and clinical lead collaboratively determine whether Extra Time is the most suitable support, ensuring that each man receives the right level of care or is signposted to alternative services.
• Accessible and private: Delivered online, sessions remove geographic, mobility, or scheduling barriers and offer a confidential space where men can explore feelings without fear of judgment.
• Continuity of care: The 12-session package allows sufficient time to tackle both immediate grief reactions and underlying issues, promoting lasting recovery.

Project Costs

This budget covers counsellor fees, platform licenses, clinical supervision, safeguarding measures, and administrative overheads.

It costs us £820 for 12 accessible online sessions per beneficiary.

We aim to help 100 men a year with this service alone - but we can't do this without your help. If we reach our target of £40,000 we could provide this service to 48 men!

Testimonials

The Man2Man Extra Time counselling service has been a lifeline to many. Here's what some of the beneficiaries said: -

"Apart from addressing the immediate loss of my Son and Brother, my counsellor was able to investigate the past and losing my mother when I was 10 years old.”

"The immense improvement in my general wellbeing and demeanour is palpable, with my wife confirming the massive positive change in my general outlook."- GB

🎁 Rewards

By donating to this campaign, you're directly helping bereaved men across the UK access Man2Man Extra Time when they need it most. That’s already a powerful reward — but if you fancy a little something extra to go with that warm fuzzy feeling, we’ve got you covered.

There are some fantastic StrongMen merchandise rewards up for grabs — so keep an eye out for the ones that catch your eye.

And that’s not all...

Everyone who donates £25 or more will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a signed Brighton & Hove Albion FC shirt! The lucky winner will be contacted once the Crowdfunder closes.

🙏 Thank You

To everyone who donates — thank you. Your support means the world and will make a genuine difference to men facing the toughest times of their lives.

This project successfully funded on 16th October 2025