A Sheffield man, who has epilepsy, is aiming to conquer the UK’s highest mountain for the second time. Robert Wilks, 64, will be raising vital funds for Epilepsy Action and The Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Robert will climb Ben Nevis on 28 August in celebration of the charity’s 60th anniversary. The climb will involve eight hours of walking, mostly up a very steep gradient and uneven terrain. At 1,343 metres (4,406 feet), Ben Nevis, located near Fort William in Scotland, is the UK’s highest mountain, attracting thousands of trekkers each year.
Robert has chosen to support Epilepsy Action because he has had epilepsy for over 50 years. He has been inspired to support The Motor Neurone Disease Association because of the determination of his friend Rev Michael Wenham, who has the condition.
Robert said: “I have been privileged to enjoy a good quality of life despite having had epilepsy for over 50 years. I have a happy married life, two wonderful grown-up children and have had successful careers in printing, teaching and healthcare. Many others with epilepsy are denied this privilege - epilepsy does not have to hold you back in life, but having good support, a strong back-up ‘team’ in the form of reliable doctors, friends and nurses helps.”
“I have gained a lot from reading about epilepsy and from the support I have received from Epilepsy Action over the past 40 years since I was first asked to speak for the charity in Sheffield. I feel my success in my teaching career is largely down to hard work and building up good interpersonal skills with colleagues, parents and children. There were many times when discrimination arose, and still does, even in retirement, but if you are well informed and have a good sense of humour you can usually give as good as you get without causing offence!”
“I believe people with epilepsy should live life to the full, grasp opportunity if it arises and push themselves to the boundary, to dispel some of the myths surrounding epilepsy. I consider it very important that we all help one another and help build a future for the UK’s 456,000 people who have the condition.”
Robert is hoping to raise at least £1,500 by taking on the Epilepsy Action Ben Nevis Challenge. The money raised by Robert for Epilepsy Action will help fund the vital advice and information services provided by the charity. To sponsor Robert and support Epilepsy Action, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RobWilks, where you can follow his progress through a variety of photos as he trains and prepares for the event.
Entry to the Epilepsy Action Ben Nevis Challenge is still open. To find out more about this, and other Epilepsy Action events, visit www.epilepsy.org.uk/involved or call the fundraising team on 0113 210 8800.
The Sheffield branch Epilepsy Action meets on the second Thursday of every month at 8pm at the Quaker Meeting House, St James Street. For more information, contact David on 0114 230 2151 or Maureen on 0114 296 7892.