I'm challenging myself to run 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours to raise funds for Dravet Syndrome UK from the 17th - 19th June 2022.I'm running for who lives with Dravet Syndrome.Your donation will not only spur me on to keep going through this epic challenge, but it will mean that Dravet Syndrome UK can continue to improve the lives of those affected by Dravet Syndrome through support, education and medical research.I'll be keeping you up to date on my training as well as the challenge itself. If you'd like to join me for the challenge in full, or for a couple of the 4 mile laps, please let me know as I'd love to have the company. Thank you so much for your support!

For those of you who don’t know,  my youngest son Bradley has Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy.
Bradley’s first seizure was when he was 5 months old, it lasted 50 minutes and as he struggled to breathe was blue lighted to hospital, an unwanted pattern that would become Bradley’s routine nearly every 3-4 weeks for the next 18 months of his life. At 7 months old he had an EEG test which confirmed his epilepsy and then further genetic testing to detect mutations in the SCN1A gene was carried out when he was 1 year old which confirmed a diagnosis of Dravet Syndrome.
After 18 months from his first seizure, the seizures although still frequent became more manageable and thankfully required no more ambulance trips and overnight stays in hospital.
From diagnosis Bradley has been on several different medications to help to control his seizures and it has taken years to find the right combination of medications (Stiripentol, Sodium Valproate and Clobazam) that are now reasonably effective in reducing the number of his seizures. He also went on the ketogenic diet for 3 years (thanks to a wonderful charity Matthews Friends) which helped to reduce his seizures.
Bradley is now 9 and his seizures continue less frequently, he responds well to his rescue medication which normally stops the seizures within a few minutes . As a result of Dravet Syndrome he has severe learning difficulties and has recently been diagnosed with ASD/ADHD. He is not yet toilet trained and is still dependent on his Mum and I to feed, bath and dress him, etc. He is also a very restless sleeper. He will always be dependent on adult supervision.
Despite his condition Bradley really is the most remarkable, loving, kind, thoughtful, fun loving kid. His default mode is to be happy and make those around him happy. He lives his life to the full.
He inspires me in so many ways to be a better person and to live a life full of gratitude. His warmth, smiling and happy can do attitude is so infectious and I love nothing more than every minute spent in his company.
Bradley’s favourite things are playing anything with his amazing big brother Samuel, playing with dogs (can spend hours throwing balls or anything else for dogs to fetch!), puzzles, books, riding his scooter, anything to do with Paw patrol and Andy’s dinosaur adventures.
Along our journey with Bradley, the charity Dravet Syndrome UK has always been there for our family to support, provide sleep monitors, put on centre parcs weekends away and most importantly make us feel like we are not alone on our journey but part of a unique and special family.
I’m forever grateful to them and want to do all I can to raise funds and awareness so Dravet Syndrome UK can continue helping families living with Dravet to have the smoothest ride possible on a difficult and challenging road ahead.