A WICKHAM man who suffered up to 20 seizures a day is about to defy the odds as he tackles one of the toughest rowing challenges in the world.

Scout leader Ashley Wilson is preparing to row the Indian Ocean in world record time despite his lifelong epilepsy and remission from cancer.

The 36-year-old, of Dickson Park, is taking on the challenge to inspire others and prove that anything is possible and raise money for charity.

He has had epilepsy all of his life and until recently he could have up to 20 seizures a day.

They have been reduced to one or two a week, but the father-of-three said he’s still likely to have at least a dozen while he’s thousands of miles out at sea.

The mechanic is also a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma aged 20.

He said: “I have always been a fighter and am certainly not one to ever give up. After all the waiting and preparation, I can’t wait to get on the water and test the boat for real.

“I wanted to do this to prove to young people that it doesn’t matter if you have got a disability because you can go out and achieve anything.

“Even if I didn’t have epilepsy it wouldn’t be risk free but it shouldn’t be any more dangerous than anyone else doing it.

“I used to have one seizure every 18 months or so up until about 10 years ago. Then things went completely haywire and I had about 20 a day.

“With lots of medication and all sorts we’re now at a point where I get about one a week, which is more manageable. I wanted to give back to some of the people who have helped me.

“I have been a Scout leader now for eight years or so and the Scouts have given me an awful lot. They’ve allowed me to get involved with challenges that you probably wouldn’t normally be able to do with a disability.”

Ashley said one of the most difficult things about the trip will be saying goodbye to his partner of 15 years Laura Samways, 32, and his children Abbie, 12, Jay, 10, and Phoebie, five.

“It will be one of the hardest bits and I’m sure it will get more difficult as time goes by. They’re quite excited for me though,” said Ashley.

He will be joined on the trip by Scout ambassador James Ketchell who has been trained to cope with his seizures.

They hope to break the world record for the fastest pair to row the 3,600 miles across the ocean, currently set at 86 days.

The challenge will begin next May. In the meantime they will be raising money for The Scout Association, Young Epilepsy and the Elifar Foundation.

The duo tested their specially designed boat ‘Nothing’s Impossible’ on the water for the first time last weekend in Canary Wharf in front of more than 100 Scouts.