The word ‘resilience’ is often used lightly, but for 45 year old youth mentor Craig Plowman, it is the hard won philosophy that has not only saved his life but is now driving him to conquer one of the planet’s most formidable environments: the untouched rainforest of the Colombian jungle.
On 22nd November, Craig will embark on a gruelling 100km trek and raft challenge. This expedition is far more than a fundraiser; it is a physical declaration that Craig refuses to be defined by the chronic illnesses he has fought for years. His goal is to raise vital funds for The JHF Youth Charity (The Jack Hazeldine Foundation) and, in doing so, inspire a new generation to find their own inner strength.
To understand the magnitude of Craig’s current goal, we must first look back at the four year fight that fundamentally changed his life and tested the limits of his resilience.
A Four Year Fight: The Dark Time
Four and a half years ago, Craig’s life was irrevocably altered by a devastating double diagnosis. First came ulcerative colitis, a severe inflammatory bowel disease. Just six months later, the agony was compounded by enteropathic arthritis, which violently attacks the joints.
Craig speaks openly about this period as a ‘dark time’ for him and his family, filled with heartache and taking a severe toll on them both physically and mentally. The illness stripped him down both literally and metaphorically; he dropped from thirteen stone down to a terrifying eight and a half stone.
He recalls the relentless suffering: I was just constantly going to the bathroom and lots of
blood loss and all sorts of terrible things; sleep never really came… it was just a constant rollercoaster of pain and suffering.’ The subsequent arthritis was catastrophic, rendering him ‘bedbound for about three or four weeks, because it just felt like I was made of glass. He even felt ‘embarrassed and ashamed’ as he was ‘hobbling round the garden trying to walk’
Today, the battle remains a daily reality. His condition demands that he think about it every single time he eats or drinks. A slip in willpower, or a simple mistake, could send him ‘back to the dark place’ he has fought so hard to escape.
The Heart of the Charity: Who Was Jack Hazeldine?
The charity Craig is championing, The JHF Youth Charity, is rooted in a deeply personal story of mentorship and positive relationships. The foundation was established by Ben Hazeldine and his family in memory of his grandfather, Jack Hazeldine. The seed funding for the charity came from the collection taken at Jack’s funeral.
Jack Hazeldine was a hugely positive influence in his grandson’s life, serving as both a role model and a mentor. Ben was the first child to receive support from what would eventually become the foundation. Ben credits his grandfather with knowing ‘what made me tick’ and always finding a way to get him on track.
The JHF’s entire mission is built on this powerful legacy, supporting vulnerable young people in North Somerset through bespoke, one-on-one mentoring to help them build resilience, confidence, and self-esteem.
As a mentor at the JHF, Craig’s work is a continuation of Jack’s belief that positive role models can transform the lives of young people who are facing challenges that affect their mental health and well-being.
Pippa Gribben, CEO of the JHF, calls this challenge a ‘deeply personal journey for Craig’, noting he has been training hard to prepare both mentally and physically. She praises him, saying: ‘He’s a brilliant mentor whose compassion, wisdom, and empathy shine through in all aspects of his work and life’. The impact of his trek will be direct: ‘The funds he raises will go directly towards our one-to-one work mentoring of young people in North Somerset’.
A Mentor’s Heart: The Light of Purpose
Craig’s commitment is absolute. He refuses to let his illness stop him, primarily because the inspiration he draws from his mentees is what powers his daily push to health.
He tells the story of one mentee who suffered tremendously at a very young age, things that would ‘turn your stomach and bring tears to your eyes’. Yet, this young person’s passion for life was awe-inspiring, filled with energy, imagination, and a love for creating and playing in nature. The mentee was deeply empathetic, caring for peers and adults, and was protective of younger children who were struggling. Craig found that being around this young person’s energy was ‘uplifting and infectious,’ leaving a wonderful, indelible mark on him.
This is the spirit Craig carries into the jungle.
The Beast of a Challenge: Training and Family Support
The 100km Colombian jungle challenge, set by Venari Partners, will take place from Friday, November 22nd, to Friday, November 29th, 2025. It is an incredible week-long test involving walking about 50km over several days across rough terrain, ascending high into the canopy, followed by whitewater rafting along the Samana River.
For Craig, the challenge is twofold: the actual physicality and the constant threat to his sensitive system. The biggest practical challenge is the food and the possibility of drinking contaminated water, which could severely upset his stomach, along with the physical weaknesses and fatigue that come with ulcerative colitis.
To prepare, Craig has opted for long, steady walks on the beach promenade near Weston-super-Mare, rather than tackling hills and rough terrain. Since his cardiovascular fitness requires no improvement, he has focused specifically on acclimating his body to long walks, addressing the aches and pains that prolonged exercise now causes.
A Family United in Support
Craig’s family is his anchor. His wife, Angela, is immensely supportive, providing pep talks when he feels anxious. She has helped him work out ways to survive food wise when he is out there and is always on hand to help in any way she can.
His 13 year old daughter Sienna is fiercely determined that he must go and wants to see him succeed. If he talks about the possibility of not going, she makes it clear he must go.
His 11 year old identical twin sons Jaxon and Kaden think the trip is ‘cool’ and are helping by not engaging him in combat (play fighting) so he doesn’t injure himself before the departure.
The Guiding Light: ‘Be the Change.’
Craig’s entire ethos is built on words of wisdom from Mahatma Gandhi: ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’ This is not a casual quote for Craig; his life and work are aligned with Gandhi’s core values of non-violence, commitment to service, honesty, compassion, and equality for all. By pushing his body to the limit, Craig is actively being the change; a living example of resilience for the young people who inspire him daily.
The Final, Empowering Truth: Questioning the ‘Only Path’
At a personal level, Craig shares a deeply held truth about his recovery, one that is central to his own and his family’s journey. He feels that society often teaches us that there is only ‘one path’ to look at life, and that those in positions of authority are the ultimate authority on our lives.
However, Craig feels that taking control of his health and his recovery was critical: ‘Had I given all the responsibility to the authorities, I would likely have been in hospital countless times, be on heavy medication and possibly even have a stoma bag fitted to me’. Instead, by deciding to follow his own path and recover his health ‘in harmony with nature and my body,’ he has shown his family and countless others a profound and empowering truth:
‘You have the power to heal, you do not need to give yourself over to someone else, you do not have to be your illness, you do not have to be data in someone else’s book, you can overcome, excel and shine bright so others can see your light and realise they have what it takes to heal too’ Craig’s trek into the Colombian jungle is a testament to this ultimate act of self-empowerment.
Take Action: Support Craig’s Quest
Follow Craig’s journey as he takes his fight against chronic illness into the Colombian jungle this November. Every donation helps The JHF Youth Charity provide bespoke, one-on-one mentoring, transforming the lives of young people who are facing challenges that affect their mental health and well-being. Donate today and be part of the change.