Ashley completes 24 hour challenge

A Devon businesswoman has carried out 24 tasks in 24 hours to raise £2,000 for the Exeter Foundation.

Starting with swimming across the River Exe, and finishing 24 hours later with a sky dive, Ashley Petrons took on an array of tasks for the round the clock fundraiser in Exeter.

A training session with the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, selling the Big Issue, serving breakfast at the Southgate Mercure Exeter Hotel, and a bake off with Little French Cakes at Intoto Kitchens were all successfully completed by 28-year-old Ashley, of PR and marketing firm Astley Media.

The fundraiser was part of efforts by the Exeter-based company to support the Exeter Foundation. The PR firm is part of the Foundation XV, one of 15 firms raising funds to support a host of local charities and causes.

Caroline Orr, Astley Media Marketing Director, said: “We are so proud of Ashley. She took on an incredible challenge and succeeded. A lot of people supported her efforts and we’re just delighted that she got through all the challenges just about unscathed!”

Ashley said: “The first and last challenges, swimming in the River Exe and jumping out of a plane, were by far the hardest for me. Everything in between was quite a whirlwind. I'm very grateful for all the support given to me in the run up and during the day itself. I’m not sure I would have made it otherwise!”

Waxing the legs of John Harvey, Exeter City Council’s city centre manager, waitressing at Urban Burger and sleeping rough in Exeter were amongst other challenges completed by Ashley, who lives in Heavitree. A plea for support saw the Conservative Prospective MP for Exeter, Dom Morris, join Ashley for the sky dive.

He said: “When Ashley asked for help I was happy to volunteer. Little did I know she was planning to throw me out of a plane! I’d spent my training as an RAF pilot trying to avoid using a parachute, but how could I say no!”

Charities and projects supported by the Exeter Foundation include Nightstop Devon, Hospiscare, Headway Devon, Age UK Exeter, The C Group, Dream-A-Way and Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf People.

Businesses that supported Ashley in the ’24 in 24’ challenge included the Southgate Mercure Exeter Hotel, Urban Burger, Otton’s Haberdashery, @Devon_Hour, Heinz, Stagecoach, Sweat & Stretch, Saks, Exeter Chiefs, Big Issue, Exeter Castle, Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, Purity Boutique Spa, Radio Exe, Sylvain's Little French Cakes and Intoto Kitchens.