7-year old John Junior (JJ) Ashdown and his 2-year old brother Zaki, were diagnosed with Cerebral ALD about a year ago. It is a devastating brain disease that progressively robs a child of their physical functions.

At the time of his diagnosis, JJ had just earned his orange belt in Taekwondo. He was unable to continue training after this grading because he had a tube inserted in his chest for the ALD treatment he was receiving.

In the Spring 2016, JJ started chemotherapy and underwent a bone marrow transplant in order to try to halt the disease. When he finally returned home from hospital, his Chief Master instructors, Nicola Hurcombe and Chris Plant presented him with an honorary black belt for being the little fighter that he is in everything he has been through.

JJ has lost his mobility, sight and hearing. Little Zaki has ALD but the damage has not yet started and privately funded stem cell therapy may be a suitable treatment when the time comes.

Our fundraising is to provide care and treatment for JJ and Zaki.

JJ is an inspirational young man. Everyone who knows him or has met him has been humbled by the way such a little boy has handled his disabilities.

In a few short weeks, we (Luke Sheahan, Ethan White, Imogen Yeates - all aged 11; and Mrs Joanne Yeates) will be testing for our 2nd Dan Black Belt. As part of our 8 week assessment prior to 3 days of technical and physical testing we are asked to raise funds for a good cause. Young JJ Ashdown is a young martial artist in an associate school and, as such, is part of our martial arts family. We're delighted to be helping fund JJ and Zaki's care as our cause.

Our grading is going to be physically and mentally tough and will push us to our limits. We're sure that having such a great cause to support will inspire us to keep going.