Tenby RNLI wish Asher well as fundraising challenge draws closer

On 16  July, Asher Jenkin Jones will attempt a sponsored three-mile, solo paddle board from Caldey Island off the south west coast of Wales into the historic harbour in Tenby. He only took up the sport a year ago but he has a point to prove!

Asher was diagnosed with three brain tumours when he was 10-months-old. He received treatment at the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre in Nottingham with major surgery to remove one tumour, followed by three years of chemotherapy.

His brain tumours have left him with a severe visual impairment but nothing stops him living life to the full enjoying fun activities like skiing and judo. He has also recently started playing goalball.

Asher, who is a pupil at The Elms School in Long Eaton, explained:

'I want to show everyone that people who have disabilities can do great things too, and I want to encourage other people who have my kind of disability to try new things. I don’t want people to underestimate what I can do. Not falling into the water is going to be the hardest thing but I’ve been practicing and I’m just looking forward to doing it now.'

Asher is raising money for three charities that are close to his heart, with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution being one of them.

A spokesman for Tenby RNLI Lifeboat Station said:

'We’re delighted to be able to support Asher in his challenge. He’s an inspiration to other young people and we wish him all the best on 16 July. We’re also very grateful to him for choosing to support us in saving lives at sea.'

Dad Tony Jenkin Jones added:

'Asher amazes everyone he meets and people see his amazing abilities rather than his disabilities – what he can do not what he can’t do. In fact because of his positive attitude and bubbly personality, they soon forget he has a disability at all. He has a host of interests and has just got a distinction in his guitar exams. Nothing holds this boy back. He doesn’t accept his boundaries.'

Asher concluded: 'I’d like to help as many people as I possibly can. By supporting me on my challenge you’ll be helping people with disabilities, which is a good thing, and that will make a very big difference. Doing this it may get people talking about children with disabilities and what we are capable of achieving.”

If you can help Asher with his challenge of a lifetime. Visit his website here https://www.facebook.com/asherpaddleboardchallenge. If you are able you can sponsor him at http://bit.ly/1PXz6zI

Media Contacts

For further information about Asher’s challenge or to request an interview with Asher please contact Tony Jenkin Jones on +44 7703 115747 [email protected]. For further information about the RNLI, please contact Tenby RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Ben James on 0797143716.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.