Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid fights back tears as Ashley Cain takes on challenge in tribute to late daughter
GOOD Morning Britain anchor Susanna Reid fought back tears as Ashley Cain spoke about his riskiest challenge yet in aid of his late daughter Azaylia.
In April 2021, Ashley’s little girl tragically died at eight months old following her battle with leukaemia.
At the time, Ashley, 32, wrote on his Instagram page: “Rest in paradise princess. I will always hold you in my heart until I can hold you again in heaven.”
Since then, he has taken on a host of fundraising missions yet ITV anchor Susanna, 52, admitted she was “worried” for the former footballer in his latest mission – this being the Yukon 1000.
On today’s Good Morning Britain, she told him: “I am worried about you.
“It’s quite a challenge isn’t it but you are filled with determination, purpose and you have Azaylia there with you don’t you.”
The challenge will see Ashley take on an unsupported 1,000 mile kayak down the Yukon River with just one colleague.
He will cross Canada, the Arctic Circle and Alaska yet, should there be an issue, there is a four-day extraction period, meaning they would not receive help for days.
Ashley told Thursday’s Good Morning Britain: “I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t worried myself, but when I wrote my daughter’s Eulogy I found out who the man is that I wanted to be.
“I made a promise to Azaylia on that day to take her around the world so when I got this opportunity I thought when else will I be able to take her from Canada to the Arctic Circle to Alaska and not only that raise hopefully a lot of money and awareness.”
The challenge has been described as the World’s Toughest Survival Race.
He went on to say that Father’s Day this time around “really broke me” and told how the challenge was: “For my hero Azaylia.
“In her name, in her honour, in her legacy.”
He added: “In the end, hopefully I’ve done enough so I can join her again.”
Clearly touched by his words, Susanna said: “Ashley you speak so clearly so eloquently about your experience,” to which he replied: “It’s because I love her.”
Mum of three Susanna, with tears in her eyes replied: “I know you do.
“You can see it in your eyes all the time.
“She is with you isn’t she, every single moment of the day.
“She will be with you when you do the challenge, good luck.”
Fans were equally touched on Twitter, with one writing: “Crying, listening to Ashley talk about his beautiful baby girl.”
Another put: “Top bloke Ashley…good luck.”
Ashley shared his tot with ex Safiyya Vorajee.
Following her passing, she added on Instagram: “You are my Angel my heartbeat my soul, RIP my precious baby, you will always be with me like a handprint on my heart.”
The parents had been left devastated after doctors found more tumours and ran out of options to save his baby girl who was battling a rare form of leukaemia.
For weeks, doctors have said the brave baby girl could only have “days to live”, but Ashley and Safiyya refused to give up hope.
Yet despite all the love and hope in the world the brave couple’s sweet baby was cruelly snatched away in the first year of her life.
Azaylia Diamond was born in August 2020.
Just two months after her birth she was diagnosed with leukaemia.
On April 8 2021, Ashley revealed in a heartbreaking Instagram video that his little girl could only have “days to live”.
They decided to take her home from hospital to enjoy any remaining time they had with her.
He shared a short video of him sweetly kissing his little one’s head in her hospital bed as they prepared to bring her home.
He heartbreakingly wrote: “Last night in hospital before we take you home baby”.
