The Reading branch of national charity Epilepsy Action is preparing to raise serious ‘wonga’ for the charity by hosting a riverside walk.
The five-mile Epilepsy Action Wonga Walk takes place along the River Thames at Caversham at 11.00 am on Sunday 13 June during National Epilepsy Week (13-19 June). At least 35 walkers are expected to take part in the walk, which starts and finishes on the Thames Side Promenade. The event is part of activities to develop an Epilepsy Action branch in Reading. It is hoped the walk will raise over £2,000 to help support people with epilepsy.
Branch volunteer Lee Keates has organised the walk because he has epilepsy. Some of his friends are also affected by the condition. Lee said: “I myself and many of my friends have epilepsy. It affects not only us, but people close to us too. A relaxing riverside walk is a lovely way to raise money for charity and we’re hoping to raise as much as possible to support Epilepsy Action. If you walk in a group in a well- known place at the right time, you stand out and that’s exactly what we hope to do!”
The walk is one of several Wonga Walks taking place across the country to mark Epilepsy Action’s sixtieth anniversary. The charity is hoping the walks will clock up a total distance of 9,240 miles – equivalent to walking to Timbuktu and back. To achieve this target, Epilepsy Action needs 60 walking groups of 25 people, each walking a distance of six miles.
To find out more about the Epilepsy Action Reading Branch Wonga Walk, call Lee on 07974 145 408. For details of other organised Wonga Walks in the area, or to arrange your own event, visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/wongawalks
The Reading Branch of Epilepsy Action meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7.30pm at the Old Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading. For more information, contact Mark McDaid, regional services manager for the south west, on 01291 621 478.