Over the past year, Joel Hutchinson has been pushing himself to new limits in support of Darlington Mind, taking on a series of gruelling walking challenges to raise both funds and awareness for mental health. From long-distance hikes in unpredictable British weather to relentless training walks that test his endurance and resilience, Joel’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
But this is only the beginning.
With his sights firmly set on an even greater challenge, Joel is now preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in June 2026 - a feat that will see him summit the highest peak in Africa, standing at 5,895 metres above sea level. The climb represents not just a physical challenge, but a powerful symbol of perseverance, determination, and hope - values that sit at the heart of the work Darlington Mind does every day.
We caught up with Joel to reflect on his fundraising journey so far, what has motivated him to keep going, and how he’s preparing for his biggest challenge yet.
What inspired you to start fundraising for Darlington Mind?
The reason I started fundraising for Darlington Mind was through EE. Darlington Mind was the site charity of choice, and I raised £4,000 by taking my colleagues up Helvellyn in the Lake District. Through that experience, I built a relationship with Marcus and Jemma, and that’s when I had the idea to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
I wanted to continue this partnership because I’m a strong advocate for mental health, and I know too many people in the local area who have struggled with mental health difficulties.
Why did you choose climbing Kilimanjaro as your big fundraising challenge?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has always been a lifelong dream of mine. At the time, my mental health wasn’t in a great place, and I needed a new challenge, something to focus on when times weren’t good.
I truly believe you should always have something to work towards. For me, that became fundraising and getting my fitness to a level where I could fully enjoy the climb.
You’ve been fundraising for a while now, how has the journey been?
The journey has been crazy, so much has happened in my personal life over the two years I’ve been fundraising. I look back now and don’t recognise the person I was when I started (in a good way).
It’s not just about raising money for a great cause; it’s about showing what can happen when you focus your mind and body on something outside of your comfort zone. It’s been incredible to see so many people get involved, whether that’s donating or taking part in the many challenges I’ve organised over the last 18 months.
What’s kept you going and motivated along the way?
There have definitely been tough times. I used to think there was an expectation that I had to show up every day with a positive mindset and never feel unmotivated. But there are days when I doubt myself and question why I’m doing all of this.
Now, I’ve developed a stronger mindset. I always come back to my purpose. I look at how much I’ve grown, and I know I want more of that growth.
Has there been a moment during fundraising that really stood out to you?
There have been so many amazing moments, feedback from challenge participants, kind messages from supporters, winning Exceptional Volunteer at the Darlington Community Awards, and completing challenges I never thought possible.
But my favourite moment actually came when I didn’t complete the Hadrian’s Wall walk. I shared a post about listening to your body, about how it’s not always about winning and that failing is okay. I made myself vulnerable, and the support I received was overwhelming, more powerful than any “well done” could ever be.
That’s where the real magic happened. It motivated me to train harder and push myself even further.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far?
Without a doubt, Hadrian’s Wall.
Nearly 48 hours awake, hallucinating, exhausted, battling wind and rain, and walking mostly in the dark, I knew it would test me. I found my limit. My body genuinely couldn’t go any further.
Now I see that moment as an opportunity, a reason to train harder and come back stronger.
How have friends, family and the community supported you?
Without them, none of this would have been possible.
My family and friends have been my rock. They’ve supported me through the struggles, shared every part of my journey, helped bring my ideas to life. From merchandise and event planning to fundraising ideas and social media support.
The community has been incredible too. My colleagues at EE have given me confidence and huge support in raising money for Darlington Mind. I’ve been able to share my journey and speak about mental health in front of thousands of colleagues. I also now have a growing community of like-minded people on social media, which continues to grow every day.
They are the most important part of this journey.
What does fundraising for mental health mean to you personally?
This answer has changed over time.
It started as simply wanting to do something good for my community. As the journey continued, it became about leaving a lasting impact.
I don’t just want people to talk about mental health, I want to show them the benefits of testing their limits, of getting outside, even if it’s just for a walk. It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone and become complacent, but that’s often when both mental and physical health start to decline.
I’m already planning my next challenge after Kilimanjaro, something that will build on the work we’ve already done in the local area.
What are you most excited (or nervous!) about as the climb gets closer?
I’m actually more nervous about travelling alone than the climb itself. I’ve never travelled outside the UK on my own. I can be anxious about the unknown - missed connecting flights, cancellations, lost luggage, altitude sickness… my mind runs through every possibility.
That’s a battle I work on overcoming every day.
What I’m most excited about is standing on the roof of Africa, knowing that 14 months of fundraising led to that moment, and being able to share it with everyone who has supported me.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about fundraising?
Always know your purpose and come back to it often.
Be vulnerable and open about your struggles. It’s not about winning all the time.
And if you’re waiting to feel confident before you start, you’ll never start. Confidence comes after you take the leap, not before.
We’d like to wish Joel the very best of luck as he continues training and counting down to the big challenge - we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way!
If you’d like to support Joel or follow his journey, you can do so here:
Instagram - ascend_with_joel
Tiktok - joelhutchinson98
Fundraising page - gofund.me/44d3f5161
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