Man with cerebral palsy to swim 5km for charity

Lucy_Scope

From BBC News

A man with cerebral palsy known for taking on fundraising challenges says he is training for his next event.

Ash Jenkins, from Bristol, is planning to swim 5km (three miles) in open water at Adam Walker's lake, in Lincolnshire, for charity.

He has previously done bungee jumps and indoor skydives - but the most he has previously swum for charity is 1.6km (one mile) in 2016.

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, he said he needed "24-hour care to get around, to get up and live my life", adding: "But I try to live my life to the fullest."

Mr Jenkins uses a wheelchair and had surgery in 2023 to straighten his spine. He says his cerebral palsy affects all four of his limbs and his speech.

'I love to swim'
He explained he was now in training to take on the challenge in September - and said he expected it to last at least eight hours.

The water temperature should be about 14C to 15C and he will wear a wetsuit, Mr Jenkins added.

"It's what I do, I love to swim," he said. "I'm going to be using a snorkel to breathe and I'm not going to be on my back."

Mr Jenkins is raising money for Bristol-based charity Cerebral Palsy Plus and has collected more than £350 so far.