Ben Collins - Mount Toubkal Challenge Hike - Fundraiser

13/06/2026

Ben is safely back at the hotel. He flies back to London tomorrow evening, then home on monday morning. He has sent a photo dump which i am sharing for him xx

Tha Just you so much for the donations, he has exceeded his target!! X

13/06/2026

Ben is up this morning to hike back down Mount Toubkal for his 3rd and final day of hiking.

He spent £1800 of his own money to do this hike. It was all his own idea, and tbh we didn't really think it was a good one 🤣🙈 after struggling through primary school and a lot of big school, experiencing bullying and that awful experience of not fitting in, his confidence was shot. He comfort ate and gained weight. He didnt really go out. He NEVER did any exercise. He had simply got too big. He was tired all the time and kinda hard to live with sometimes.

We hoped he would find the grit and determination to push through and actually do this hike, but we just weren't sure.

On Tuesday he flew to Morocco to meet a group of people he has never met before, he was the youngest person there, he shared a room with a randomer, slept 2 nights on a mountain in a tent with someone he doesnt know, hiking a distance like he has never done in his life, experiencing altitude and all the challenegs that come with it, miles away from home. For context - a month or so ago, he wouldn't even go and hike with a Mourne rambling group on his own for a morning and that was only up the road!!

Getting an apprenticeship with EY has been the absolutely the best thing that ever happened to him!!

He is £257 off his target. If anyone can spare even £5 to help him reach his target before he gets home, I know he would be delighted. Thank you all so much for your generosity so far!!!

Click the "SIGN UP" link on his FB page to make a donation

12/06/2026

We couldnt be more proud of this kid!!!!!

And the kindest words from one of the EY reps who has been keeping me in the loop when they have managed to get a bit of signal 💜

"He is everyone's favourite! A real super star!"

12/06/2026

After the longest day ever, where I have been vibrating with nerves, we get this call from Ben 💜💜

HE REACHED THE SUMMIT!!!!!

12/06/2026

Up at 4.40am. Pretty much constantly thinking about Ben, whose summit hike started between 4am and 5am today. Apparently 5 to 7 hrs hiking today so I expect to hear any time soon when they reach back down to base camp. (There is no time difference between here and there)

Thanks so so much for the donations. Ben will be delighted!! If you havent donated but can spare a few £s please click the link below 💜

https://eyfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/benjamin-collins?fbclid=IwVERDUASYvIxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6gGbcSuRFEA9NctXy6w4nBULayJGHyCe1MdyW-qbU7R2uNkYIzr1CgK1U3lw_aem_CO_KMKMVNBxRC8ShYnnOqA

I will be climbing Mount Toubkal - the highest Peak in North Africa, for EY Foundation. An insprational charity that supports disadvantaged young people from across the UK - it really helps change peo

11/06/2026

UPDATE - (eyes are leaking here with relief and joy!)

"Hi Cara, we are at Base Camp. It's been a long tough day but we are all in one piece, ready for dinner. Ben is doing SO well. Better than me! You can be very proud of him. x"

Ben has nailed 1460m of elevation today to reach base camp on Mount Toubkal. Tomorrow morning they are up at 4am to hike to the summit.

Fingers and toes crossed everyone!!!!

11/06/2026

Ben is having issues with his phone which is giving me the ick.

I didnt sleep well last night, kept dreaming about him hiking and struggling, and getting left behind 🙈🙈

Woke up to a lovely message from Natasha, who is from EY in England somewhere. She sent this pic of Ben at dinner last night. They head off on their hike at 8.30am. Its going to be a long 3 days with very little contact from Ben (or Natasha)

I am not expecting to get much sleep until I know he is ok and I hope beyond hope that he will succeed.

Ben is so close to his target - so if you can spare a few ££££ please click the "Sign Up" link on this FB page to make a donation

10/06/2026

Chatted to Ben briefly on the phone!

He says tomorrow's hike isnt too bad, but the following day is rough apparently. They have had a meeting and have been told that it is mentally challenging and to get their heads in the right space.

They also got info on altitude sickness which no one can prepare for....

He sounds nervous but positive!! Fingers and toes crossed!!

10/06/2026

That is Ben left off to head to Morocco!!! His first day hiking is tomorrow, when he hikes 1460m to base camp

I am hoping he can keep us updated with photos but I have no idea what signal will be like up there!!

Thank you so much for all your donations so far xx

03/06/2026

Only SIX days until I head off to Morroco to complete my massive charity hike.

I am half way to my fundraising target.

I thought I would share a photo of my first hike up Cave Hill, to this week. So far I have lost 3.5 stone in weight!!!