Manchester rapper Aitch has announced plans to take on a six-day trek, cycle and paddle challenge next year in aid of the Down's Syndrome Association (DSA), a charity for which he is an ambassador.
The 26-year-old, from Moston, will begin the 'Peak To Paddle' mission on May 22 with a night trek up Mount Snowdon, followed by five days of intense cycling and a 22-mile canoe trip, finishing at the Langdon Down Centre in Teddington, Middlesex, the charity's home, on May 27.
A six-day journey from Snowdon to Teddington
Aitch, real name Harrison Armstrong, will be joined by family members and friends, as well as members of the team that accompanied him on his climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2024. That venture in Tanzania was recently documented on Netflix's Aitch: Don't Be Afraid.
The challenge comes three years after Aitch won the BRIT Award for Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Act, a win he dedicated to his hometown. He also took part in I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Here last year alongside eventual winner Angry Ginge.
Raising funds for a cause close to home
Aitch has raised over £250,000 for the DSA to date through his work as an ambassador. His 16-year-old sister Gracie, who was born with Down's Syndrome, regularly appears in his videos and on social media.
His 2022 track 'My G', with Ed Sheeran, was dedicated to Gracie. Speaking previously on Jamie Laing's podcast Great Company, Aitch said of his sister: "I wouldn't even be half the person I am if she wasn't here. And she actually teaches you lessons that you don't even realise till after. She always used to grab my face before I used to go to bed and just go, 'Harrison, don't be afraid'."
A big year for the artist
Speaking about the forthcoming challenge, Aitch said: "Ready to go again! It's the best time of year, fundraising time. On ya bike!"
The announcement follows a busy year for the artist. In June, he made a surprise appearance on the Parklife stage during BOU's set and later took over the streets of Deansgate while filming his latest music video.
Two years ago, Aitch appeared at the Beyond The Music conference in Manchester to discuss representing his hometown in the music scene. He explained: "In terms of rap music, obviously, there wasn't much of a massive scene here. It wasn't very mainstream and not many people in London knew about it. Before that, there wasn't anyone really [in rap] to super look up to in terms of someone who's reached a certain level. You always want to keep that thing that 'we're the best'. We're actually like the coolest people in the world, don't let anyone else tell you differently."
