Help Shannon Win Surfing Gold!

My name is Rebecca, I'm setting up this fundraiser to help Shaggy (Shannon Ashwood) get to Hawaii to compete in the World Adaptive Surfing Championships.

On Mothers Day 2023 (almost 12 months ago) Shannon tragically fell off a roof and broke his back (fractured his T8, T9 and destroyed his T10), broke 6 ribs and received a difuse axonal brain injury. He was in a coma for four days, spent two weeks in the Royal Adelaide Hospital and was then transferred to the Repatriation Hospital where he spent the next 7 months learning how to adapt to his new life in a wheelchair.

As you can imagine, this was an emotional journey, especially because Shannon was a tradie. He suddenly found himself without the ability to support himself or his daughter financially.

On January 21st he took the first step towards independence by moving into his own apartment. He then made a decision he was not going to let his injuries get the better of him! He started rock climbing again, basketball and he even decided to pick up his old surfboard and give that a go!

His first attempt on a surfboard after his accident was a complete fail and it really broke his heart. However that evening he decided he was NOT going to give up, he just needed a bit of help. So he conjured up some courage and sent an instagram message to Jocelyn Neumeuller, an Adelaide girl who happens to be the World Adaptive Surfing Champion!

Jocelyn invited Shannon to meet her at the beach, and the rest is history. She showed him what he was doing wrong, and how to do it right, and saw that he had huge surfing potential. As a natural athlete, he picked up the tricks of surfing as a paraplegic very quickly. Maybe another Aussie World Champion in the making? Jocelyn and her team started coaching Shannon immediately, and invited him to compete in the 2024 Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships starting on the 11th May.

Because this is only one year after his accident he has spent most of the past 12 months rehabilitating in hospital and learning how to live in a wheelchair. So we are asking for any donation, large or small, to help fund Shannon's trip, and give him a cracking chance at this competition.

We are so proud of you Shannon, your perseverance, your never-say-die attitude. Your willingness to give things a go inspires everyone around you. Best of luck in Hawaii buddy!