A NEW mother walked at least 10 kilometres every day in April – reaching a total of 316.55km – to raise money for Epilepsy Scotland and awareness about epilepsy.
Kirsty Wark, 32, from Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, took on the challenge after her daughter Sylvie was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was seven days old.
Wark, who raised £2630, said: “When Sylvie was six days old, we went into the hospital as she was exhibiting abnormal movements. We were told that it was epilepsy. I was devastated.”
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Wark received support from Epilepsy Scotland and started her challenge just five weeks after Sylvie was born. “It was tough,” Wark said. “When I had my son, I’m pretty sure I was still in the house all the time and taking it easy on the couch at that stage.
“Not only that but my little boy was only 20 months, so I had two children under two, plates and pins in my ankle due to a bad break years ago and localised osteoporosis in that ankle. I would often think I should have just organised a bake sale!”
Jane Roberts, fundraising manager at Epilepsy Scotland, said: “Doing this challenge just five weeks after giving birth to her beautiful baby girl is awe-inspiring.
“We know how hard it is for a parent when their child is diagnosed with epilepsy, especially a baby.
“The money Kirsty and her family raised will help us continue to provide vital support for parents and their children.”
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