Heartbreaking ‘delusion’ Ashley Cain used to get through death-defying challenges on new show Into The Danger Zone
Ashley and his ex Safiyya have united for their charity work
ASHLEY Cain has endured the unimaginable heartbreak of losing his daughter – but he continues to push his limits in ways that few could ever understand.
The former footballer’s daughter Azaylia died when she was just eight months old from a rare form of leukaemia.
He has raised hundreds of thousands in her name since, previously climbing Kilimanjaro and recently completing an Ultraman test, which involves a 900-mile run, a 925-mile cycle and a 950-mile kayak sea crossing.
Now he’s set to investigate some of the world’s most dangerous places in a new show that will air early next year.
Speaking to The Sun about BBC series, Into The Danger Zone, he opened up on how he keeps going.
“I had this delusion that after a challenge, she would be there,” he told us.
“Every challenge I do, I push through hoping I will see (Azaylia) at the end, and I never do”.
Ashley said each trial has become a way for him to process his grief, in an attempt to reconnect with the daughter he lost far too soon.
For Ashley, fighting through pain is more than just survival.
He added: “Me doing the challenges and fighting through pain is the only way I know how to show her that I love her …
“I don’t do these things because I love the risk. I do it because nothing means more to me in this world than making a difference for kids with cancer.”
He added that since losing Azaylia he “doesn’t really have a fear of death” because, “I just think if it is my time and I die I get to see her.”
Ashley believes that his daughter is watching from the sky, looking down from heaven as he puts himself through these intense experiences.
He went on: “I do this to raise awareness and funds, but also so she can look down and see the lengths I will go for her.”
Even though his daughter is gone, he said her presence still guides him.
“I have a lot of pain, anger, and trauma,” Ashley added.
“Doing these challenges is my form of counselling. It’s my own way to process everything and to give myself self-worth and confidence.
“She taught me strength, she taught me courage, and she taught me that even in your darkest days, you can create someone else’s brightest moments, and that will always stay with me.”
Ashley is planning to become a record breaker in one of his most daring stunts to date.
Asked if he wants to follow in the footsteps of Ross Kemp, who has ventured into dangerous places on his show Extreme Worlds, Ashley said: “It would seem like that.
“It’s the same kind of thing. I go to Brazil, Philippines, South Africa, Columbia, Sweden, Marseille.
“We have filmed Sweden but are filming the rest mid December.”
