England Sevens star Jodie Ounsley preparing for 24-hour fundraiser to aid deaf charity The Elizabeth Foundation

FUNDRAISING: Jodie Ounsley (left) and family from right to left - Dad Phil Ounsley, Mum Jo Ounsley and brother Jack Ounsley.

With her family, the 19-year-old from Dewsbury will be taking part in non-stop sporting activities for 24 hours, starting on Monday, April 13 at 9am and finishing the next morning.

The former Sandal player is hoping to raise money for The Elizabeth Foundation, which is a pre-school nursery for deaf children.

Ounsley was born deaf and fitted with a cochlear implant at a young age but that has not stopped her from making her mark on the sporting world.

She signed a contract with England Sevens last August after making impressive strides in the 15-a-side game with the England youth teams and in the Tyrrells Premier 15s with Loughborough Lightning.

“I’m using this extra time to raise some much-needed funds for a charity for who I owe a great deal,” said Ounsley.

“The Elizabeth Foundation is a pre-school nursery for deaf children. I literally started with them aged three months. They would sit me down on a music box that I could feel sound through.

“They helped me build up eye contact and concentration and understand facial expressions.

“As I got older they helped me develop speech and language. They also taught my family how to help me progress.

“These are incredible people who literally change the lives of young deaf children whilst also supporting their families.

“Without their support I wouldn’t be the person I am today. The coronavirus has also hit these charities hard so I’ve enlisted the help of my immediate family to do a ‘24-hour sportathon’.”

The 24-hour fundraiser will include running, power-walking, cycling, Brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing pads, rugby skills and weight training.

Before the shutdown of sport across the world, Ounsley was travelling with the England sevens team across the globe to compete in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Ounsley first picked up a rugby ball at Wakefield club Sandal and was named in the initial GB Sevens squad for the postponed Tokyo Olympics.

You can donate to the fundraiser, which has already raised £1,400, by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ounsley24hrsportathon and keep up to date with the event on Instagram @ounsley24hrsportathon.