In April 2023, Darren was part of the first all-disabled team to complete an unsupported crossing of Europe’s largest ice cap, Vatnajökull in Iceland. Alongside Ed Jackson and Niall McCann, three individuals living with spinal cord injuries set out to cross one of the most hostile environments in Europe – hauling their own supplies and relying entirely on their collective experience, judgement, and resilience. The team completed the 138-kilometre crossing in just 11 days.

Travelling across vast fields of crevasses, ascending terrain higher than Ben Nevis, and enduring temperatures as low as –27°C, the expedition demanded constant vigilance and trust. Midway through the journey, a violent storm threatened to end the crossing altogether, forcing the team to confront the toughest physical and psychological challenge Darren had faced since his life-changing accident in 2016.

Beyond the expedition itself, the team raised over £20,000 for the charity Millimetres 2 Mountains, supporting young people who have experienced significant physical and psychological trauma. By completing the crossing, Darren, Ed, and Niall aimed not only to push their own limits, but to challenge perceptions and inspire others living with spinal cord injuries to pursue ambitious goals in their own lives.

In his keynote speeches, Darren uses the Vatnajökull expedition to explore trust, shared responsibility, and decision-making under extreme uncertainty. He reflects on how progress in hostile environments depends on honest communication, mutual accountability, and the ability to remain calm when conditions deteriorate – demonstrating how high-performing teams are built not on individual strength alone, but on collective belief and disciplined execution.