Jordan Wylie MBE – THE Blackpool LAD.

Jordan Wylie MBE, born in Blackpool in 1983, has built a career that spans military service, television, endurance challenges, and charity work.

Military service
At 16, Wylie joined the British Army and served for over a decade as a frontline soldier with The King’s Royal Hussars. His tours included Iraq and Northern Ireland, alongside exercises around the world. He completed his academic studies while serving, earning degrees in Security and Risk Management and Maritime Security. His military background underpins much of his later work in resilience and risk awareness.

Television work
Wylie is best known to audiences as one of the “hunters” on Channel 4’s BAFTA‑nominated series Hunted and Celebrity Hunted. His role on the show has showcased his expertise in surveillance, pursuit, and teamwork, bringing his military skills into the public eye.

Charity challenges

• In 2020, Wylie undertook a charity bike ride on a wooden hand‑crafted bike, raising funds and awareness for children’s education projects.
• He has completed extreme marathons in hostile environments, including running in war zones and deserts.
• His mountain climbs and sailing expeditions have consistently been tied to fundraising efforts, with totals exceeding £1 million raised for charitable causes.

TOWER POWER
Jordan Wylie’s “wooden bike ride” was part of his 2024 eco‑triathlon charity challenge, known as the Tower Power or Ultimate Eco‑Triathlon. He cycled on a hand‑crafted wooden bicycle from Pisa to Paris as one leg of a 3,000 km journey dedicated to the memory of Jordan Banks, a young boy from Blackpool who tragically died after being struck by lightning.

Running in war zones

• In 2018, Wylie launched his project Running for My Life, aiming to run marathons in the world’s most dangerous countries to highlight the plight of children in conflict zones.
• His first race was planned in Somalia, but after a suicide bombing killed hundreds, the event was moved to Somaliland. He still ran under heavy security, showing his determination to complete the mission.
• In Baghdad, he ran the half‑marathon, revisiting painful memories of comrades lost during his military service with the King’s Royal Hussars.
• In Afghanistan, he ran despite official advice warning against it, facing dehydration, exhaustion, and the constant threat of attack.

Antarctica marathon

• Wylie extended his challenge to the Antarctic Ice Marathon, one of the most extreme endurance events on Earth. Running in sub‑zero temperatures, he added the polar regions to his list of hostile environments.

Purpose behind the runs

• His mantra is that “the purpose is way more important than the adventure”. Each run was tied to fundraising for children’s education, particularly in places where conflict had destroyed access to schools.
• He helped fund the building of a school in Djibouti, showing that his marathons were not just symbolic but had tangible outcomes.

Books and recognition

• Wylie documented these experiences in his bestselling book Running for My Life, which tells the story of how he risked his life to run in war zones while battling his own mental and physical health challenges.
• His endurance running projects have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, reinforcing his reputation as an adventurer with a cause.

Army Cadet Force ambassador
Since 2018, Wylie has served as the UK national ambassador for the Army Cadet Force, one of the country’s largest youth organisations. His role involves inspiring young people through adventure, discipline, and service, reflecting his commitment to education and youth development.

Recognition
In 2023, Wylie was awarded the MBE by King Charles III for services to charity and education. He is also a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author, with books that explore adventure, resilience, and maritime security.

Why it matters locally

Jordan is a Blackpool Champion if ever there was one. Wylie’s story resonates in Blackpool because he grew up on one of the town’s largest council estates, left school without qualifications, and turned his life around through service and adventure. His achievements show how local roots can lead to global impact, while still keeping Blackpool at the heart of his narrative.