A PROUD mum whose daughter has epilepsy is set to take on the Great Wall of China in a bid to raise £5,000 to help others with the condition.
Jenni Smith’s eight-year-old daughter Ruby has lived with epilepsy most of her life after a rare disorder caused her to suffer a brain haemorrhage when she was just six months old.
And the 37-year-old from Kilsby has pledged to travel to other side of the world and take on a gruelling 80-kilometre trek down a stretch of the world’s largest man-made structure to raise funds for Epilepsy Action – which support sufferers and their families.
The former HR manager, who gave up work to become Ruby’s full-time carer three years ago, said she wanted to make sure the charity could continue to give vital support.
Speaking about the impact the condition has on her daughter’s life she said: “Ruby has one or two seizures a week and has to take medication every day.
“It is very hard on her because the seizures come out of the blue. She had one when she was celebrating her eighth birthday with her friends recently and when it happens she has to be taken out of the fun to recover because though the seizures don’t last long they leave her very tired.
“Epilepsy Action does great work for others in raising awareness of the condition and helping those who suffer with it and their families. Their work is also about breaking down some of the stigma attached to epilepsy.”
The Great Wall of China challenge will see Jenni, who admits she isn’t a fitness freak, tackle ten kilometres a day for eight consecutive days.
She is set to take part in a number of races this year to increase her endurance ahead of the challenge in April next year.
But for Jenni, her daughter – a pupil at Kilsby Primary School – is more than enough inspiration.
“I really hope I can raise a good total to help a charity which does such fantastic work,” she continued.
“Knowing the daily impact of the condition only too well, I know how important it is that support is there for people who need it.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/greatwallforepilepsy to help Jenni reach her fundraising total.
