Ash takes the plunge in chilly lake for charity

A KEYNSHAM man with cerebral palsy has taken the plunge in a swimming lake to raise money for charity.

Ash Jenkins, aged 35, tackled the challenge at the Adam Walker facility in Lincolnshire.

His efforts have so far raised more than £5,000 for Cerebral Palsy Plus, a charity that raises awareness and helps people of all ages in the Bristol area.

Ash has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which affects all four limbs and means he uses a wheelchair.

He had set his sights on swimming three miles on September 6, but despite wearing a wetsuit, he was forced to stop after a mile because of hypothermia.

The water temperature had been 22 degrees when Ash trained at the lake three weeks earlier, but by the day of his challenge, it had fallen to just 16.1 degrees.

Ash said: “Nobody could have predicted that drop in a month. It’s unheard of, and I’m absolutely gutted.”

But he still beat his previous record of swimming half a mile in open water.

Ash added: “I just want to say a huge thank-you to everyone that’s donated, a huge thank-you for everyone’s kind, supportive comments.”

For safety, Ash was backed up by a team of four – with two people in the water with him at a time – and there were also paramedics in attendance. He hopes to try another swimming feat at a future date.

To donate to his Cerebral Palsy Plus fundraiser, visit https://tinyurl.com/c7w4wfv4

Pictured above, Ash with his supporters at the swimming lake.