A Scarborough man, who has epilepsy, is preparing to lace up his running shoes to complete the McCain Yorkshire Coast 10k road race. Joel Bailey is taking part to raise funds for national charity Epilepsy Action. The charity provides advice and support to the 600,000 people with epilepsy in the UK.
Joel, 25, will join around 1,000 runners in attempting the 10 kilometre run through along the Scarborough coast on Sunday 28 October. Joel has chosen to take part for Epilepsy Action because he has epilepsy.
Joel explains: “I have had epilepsy since I was aged 14 and know how much of a struggle it can be on somebody's life. So would like to show it's possible for someone with epilepsy to take on challenges like this. It is the first run I’ve done so it’s great that it’s being held in my home town where I was brought up. I am looking forward to the challenge of completing the race and knowing that just because I have this disability does not mean I can't accomplish my goals in life. I also hope I am able to raise money and awareness for Epilepsy Action.”
Joel hopes to raise £100 for the Scarborough Branch of epilepsy Action. The money raised will help to support Epilepsy Action’s work in the area. The charity campaigns to improve epilepsy services and raise awareness of epilepsy. It also provides a national network of support groups, funds a specialist nurse scheme, holds regular regional conferences and has a freephone and email helpline.
Epilepsy affects around one in every 100 people in the UK. Every day 17 children and young people aged 18 years and younger are diagnosed with epilepsy. Last year Epilepsy Action directly helped 1.1 million people through its range of services.
For more information about epilepsy or taking part in fundraising events for Epilepsy Action, visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/events
Epilepsy Action has an extensive network of branches throughout the UK. Branches hold regular meetings and offer a variety of social events and informative talks and discussions
relating to epilepsy.
Epilepsy Action’s Scarborough Branch meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm at Yorkshire Coast Enterprise Centre, Auborough Street, Scarborough. For more information, contact Cliff Challenger on 01274 640 064 or email cchallenger@epilepsy.org.uk