Help Ashton go to the World School Games

Hi

My name is Carolyn Ellis and I am fundraising for Ashton Platts who has been selected to represent the England Schools Swimming Team in the ISF under 15 World School Games in Zlatibor, Serbia from 4th - 14th April 2025. This is an international level multi sports event involving 22 sports and 4 para sports, only the top 6 male and female para swimmers in the country have been selected.

Unfortunately, the ESSA does not have a sponsor and operate as a charity, this means they can only make a small contribution to the costs for this event. All swimmers are being asked to contribute £1750 by fund raising and looking for grants/contributions that could assist with the cost. This will go towards flights, accommodation, food and kit etc.

Ashton, who lives in Hythe, is in Year 9 at The Canterbury Academy and has been swimming since he was 5 years old, he is currently a member of Dover Life Guard Club and is part of their Performance Squad training morning and evening 3 days a week and Sunday mornings.

In 2023 Ashton received his official Para classification as an S14 swimmer after in-depth assessments and evaluations. This means that Ashton has an intellectual Impairment which results in him having a significant restriction in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, this in turn affects conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills required for everyday life. Ashton also has Learning Difficulties, Autism, ADHD and Global Development Delay.

Swimming is Ashton's "Happy Place" it keeps him grounded and focused; it has enabled him to find a sport which is fully inclusive and embraces his differences, he regularly encourages his friends to try and attend school PE lessons and/or swimming. Ashton is a role model both at school and his club demonstrating that anyone can join in and enjoy sport or social activities despite having any social, physical or intellectual limitations.

Ashton has competed at many high-level events, including the British Junior Para Championships, Para World Series & British Para Championships plus National, Regional and County level events, both as a para and an able bodied swimmer.

I used to be one of Ashton’s swimming coaches at Dover  but left for new coaching opportunities in 2024. I have continued to support Ashton as his Para Swim Coach at many Para events and can honestly say he is one of the kindest, friendliest swimmers I have ever had the pleasure of coaching and knowing. He has made numerous friends in the Para Swimming World including several Olympic medallists who actively seek Ashton out at events.

Ashton will be undertaking a sponsored swim of 5 km at Dover District Leisure Centre on Sunday 2nd March, to try and raise funds to put towards the costs for the Serbian trip.

This is an amazing opportunity for Ashton to represent both his country and Canterbury Academy at an international level. He says that his school has always fully supported him with his swimming. He hasn’t stopped smiling since he received his letter inviting him to represent England.

Any amount you might be able to spare to help send Ashton to Serbia for the chance of a lifetime will be very very much appreciated. Please also share and share far and wide.

If you would like any further information on the World Student Games and/or Ashton’s swimming journey please do contact me.

We would like to say a MASSIVE thank you to all who have so kindly donated, if we are lucky enough to exceed our overall target, any extra monies will go towards extra costs in Zlatibor and  helping Ashton to continue swimming and competing in the UK. Most events require long journeys and overnight accommodation plus training fees and equipment. We are also still looking for sponsorship for our international swimmer.