Albion in the Community ambassador Jadey Yesilada is within touching distance of completing his latest fundraising challenge for the charity.
Jadey, who works for AITC delivering disability awareness training in local schools and plays for one of the charity’s powerchair teams, previously fronted a year-long campaign for AITC; 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 25-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.
His latest challenge, which is based in the gym, saw him set himself a target of achieving 1,000 chest presses; 1,000 lateral pull downs; 1,000 bicep curls; managing 110 punches in a minute on the boxing pads; and clocking up the equivalent of 26.2 miles on a recumbent upper body stepper exercise machine before the end of the season.
And he is on target to complete these challenges by the time Albion entertain Manchester United at the Amex next Friday.
Jadey has 3.5km left to go on the recumbent stepper, has completed 890 of the 1,000 lateral pull downs, 640 of the 1,000 chest presses, 745 of the 1,000 bicep curls, and currently punches 110 times in a minute.
The resistance on the weights has also been increased throughout the duration of the challenge, and Jadey emphasised that he’d noticed real benefits since he began his fitness challenge.
“It has been tough going, but I am determined to get there before the Manchester United game,” he said.
“I have seven more sessions left but will do double sessions if I need to. My last session will be on the morning of the Manchester United game and I’m confident I’ll be able to finish off my challenges and then enjoy the match.
“I’ve noticed a real benefit – both physically and mentally. Day to day I find I ache a lot less and everyone I know has noticed a real difference in me.
“Developing my muscles has helped with my movement and also pain management. My general mood is much brighter as well, and I have been less stressed and more able to cope with things.”
AITC’s disability manager Paul Brackley said: “We’ve all been impressed by how Jadey has tackled his latest fundraising challenge – and it’s great to see that he’s on course to complete it within the timeframe he set himself.
“He’s feeling the benefits of the sessions as well, which makes it worthwhile from both a lifestyle and fundraising perspective.”
Jadey’s target was £3,000 and at the time of writing he has £680 left before he reaches that figure – he can be sponsored online by clicking here.