Local mum takes on huge walking challenge to raise money for Young Epilepsy
A 200-mile walk? A little more than your average Sunday stroll. For one, local mum, Zoe, that’s the challenge she faces as she steps out on 30 March this month. Walking from her home in Bideford, North Devon to Porthcothan, Cornwall!
Zoe Saunders is raising money for national charity, Young Epilepsy, in memory of her stepdaughter, Sophie, who sadly passed away from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) in 2022 at just 22 years old.
Zoe remembers Sophie as a bubbly, outgoing young woman who loved life. Having been diagnosed with epilepsy at 11 years old, Zoe says Sophie was determined it wouldn’t stop her doing what she wanted:
“Sophie loved spending time with family and friends - she was always the life and soul of the party! She is deeply missed by her dad, William, and I, as well as her big sister Chloe, little brother William and stepsister Rhiannon.”
The walk will take 12 days in total, following the Southwest coastal path from Bideford to Porthcothan, and Zoe hopes to finish on the 2-year anniversary of Sophie’s passing on 10 April.
Donate here Zoe Saunders is fundraising for Young Epilepsy (justgiving.com)
Young Epilepsy is a national charity providing health and support services for children and young people with epilepsy and related conditions.
There are over 100,000 children and young people in the UK living with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that disrupts the normal electrical activity our brains use to communicate with the rest of the body. This disruption causes seizures. The condition is one of the most common long-term conditions that affects children.
There are over 40 different types of seizure and every young person’s epilepsy is unique to them. In most cases, epilepsy is well managed, and seizures are controlled, but it is a very serious condition that can be life-threatening.
Young Epilepsy supports children and young people across the UK through outreach services, campaigning, policy, information, and cutting-edge research into childhood epilepsies.
The charity provides a host of information and advice for young people, families, clinicians and more on their website https://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk
