MAFS star offers advice to 2024 cast ahead of reunion: 'Be genuine'

Former Married At First Sight participant Duncan James is taking on the 10 Peaks Challenge in May, known as one of the toughest hiking trails in Australia all in the spirit of raising funds and support for Youngcare: a non-for-profit that supports young people living in Australia with significant physical disabilities.

The 60km hike will see Duncan take on the challenge over four days, facing tough conditions and isolation in the scenery of Kosciuszko National Park. The MAFS star has a personal connection with Youngcare after his school friend Steven Trailor experienced a tragic accident 10 years ago on his 26th birthday which left him with significantly reduced speech and motor skills, leading to around-the-clock care.

Duncan has a goal of raising $20,000 through the challenge, and spoke to Yahoo Lifestyle about why the cause is so close to his heart as well as the advice he'd give to 2024 MAFS participants as the show wraps up for another year.

Duncan's next challenge

"I thought what's the point of having a platform if you can't do something good with it? So I chose to sign up for this challenge, as YoungCare is an organisation close to my heart and I know the trek will really challenge me," Duncan said on his decision to partake in the challenge. "I've known Steve since I was 5 years old and he's my only mate that I went to Primary and High School with. Steve is unable to live independently and has assistance provided throughout the day. However, with this help, he does get the freedom, dignity and choice to live in his own place, which is what YoungCare strives to do for people throughout Australia."

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Duncan said he's been doing a lot of walking to prepare for the hike, but is most worried about dealing with sub-zero temperatures as he's not a fan of the cold. On the topic of MAFS, he said the reunion was a walk in the park compared to the journey he's about to undertake.

Duncan's advice to the 2024 MAFS cast: 'Follow your heart'

"The MAFS reunion would be a walk in the park compared to the 10 peaks challenge. I might have had someone screaming at me during the reunion but at least the room was warm, maybe a little too warm," he joked.

And when it comes to the 2024 MAFS season wrapping up, he had some words of wisdom for the cast who will get their social media accounts back in May.

"Once they get their social media platforms back, some of the cast will be inundated with offers, requests and pressure to do things that they don't want to do, but you just have to be your genuine authentic self, as that's why people are interested in following you," he said.

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"So take advice from your close friends who know you and love you and not from people who have a commercial interest in your decision. Also, if you're friends with someone in the cast and think it might be something more, follow your heart and go for it. You never know what might happen?"

You can donate to Duncan's cause here.

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