Jadey takes on a new fundraising challenge for Albion in the Community
A passionate fundraiser has started another epic challenge to generate funds for Albion in the Community (AITC).
Jadey Yesilada is one of AITC’s official ambassadors and previously fronted a year-long campaign for the charity; Jadey’s Dream raised more than £200,000 and helped AITC significantly expand the range and number of regular sessions it runs throughout Sussex.
As well as encouraging scores of Brighton & Hove Albion fans to fundraise for AITC, the 26-year-old completed a Brighton to Paris bike ride and the Brighton Marathon alongside his good friend and AITC’s then chief executive Gary Townsend. He also took part in the Brighton and Hove Triathlon in memory of Mr Townsend, who sadly passed away in 2016.
Now Jadey, who works for AITC delivering disability awareness training in local schools and plays for one of the charity’s powerchair teams, has set himself another fundraising challenge – this time based in the gym.
Jadey is a regular at the fully-accessible gym at Futures Life Skills Centre, which is part of Chailey Heritage Foundation near Lewes. The specialist equipment and expert support provided by centre manager Daniel Burnett and his team has helped Jadey significantly improve his fitness and, in order to push himself further, Jadey decided to set himself a series of challenges which he aims to complete before the Seagulls final home game of the 2017/18 Premier League season.
By the time the Albion entertain Manchester United at the American Express Community Stadium in May, Jadey aims to have completed: 1,000 chest presses; 1,000 lateral pull downs; 1,000 bicep curls; managed 110 punches in a minute on the boxing pads; and clocked up the equivalent of 26.2 miles on a recumbent upper body stepper exercise machine.
It represents quite a challenge – but not one that he feels is beyond him.
Speaking after a recent work-out, Jadey said: “I am confident I can achieve all my targets by the end of the season.
“Since I have been using the gym at Futures Life Skills Centre, I have certainly improved the amount I am capable of doing at a session. The first time I went I could manage around 300 metres on the recumbent upper body stepper exercise machine – now I am doing a kilometre each time.
“It is going to take a lot of hard work and effort but I am determined to do it.”
Jadey can be sponsored online at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jadeyyesilada2018. Albion in the Community will be regularly updating fans on his progress through its Twitter account at @AlbionintheComm.
For more information about the services offered by Chailey Heritage Foundation, visit: www.chf.org.uk.