Hi everyone, my name is Poppy Rae and I am 9 years old.

I absolutely love playing football! I am lucky enough to play for 2 teams, Port Vale Girls U10 and for Milton United Mavericks U10 in a boys team. I play number 2 for both teams !

My favourite things are football, Sol de Janeiro sprays, reading, Ella Toone (legend), chicken caesar salad, rainbow fizzy sweets and the colours pink and blue.

I have epilepsy. I have had focal seizures for a few years now, but just recently they have become more frequent. After a chat with my consultant, my nurse and my parents, we decided the best thing to do would to be start taking medication.

It’s been a challenge trying to manage the side effects, school and football. I am so lucky to have such a supportive family, teachers, friends and football teams that have made my journey easier! I know it’s not easy or nice for these people to see me have a seizure but they are always there and are nothing but amazing when I do!

I decided I wanted to do something to raise awareness of epilepsy. I also wanted to try and help make a difference to someone else with epilepsy as I know some people aren’t as fortunate as I am to have such amazing support behind them.

In January I am taking part in the Epilepsy Society's Challenge 100 to raise awareness for people living with epilepsy everyday in the UK.

The challenge is to walk 100 miles in 31 days.

It’s going to be tricky as my days are jam packed, but I am determined to do it.

Any donation that you are able to make will help the Epilepsy Society continue their incredible work and will spur me on throughout my challenge! Mum say’s that January is a hard month for people. I want you to know that I appreciate every single donation.

Below you can see how your donation could help.
-£24 Could pay for a trained operator to support a caller with concerns relating to living with epilepsy.

-£50 could help prepare examples for crucial genetic testing, bringing them closer to groundbreaking discoveries

-£100 could allow them to store and test whole genomes for 5 people. Paving the way for personalised treatment.

Thank you so much!

Pops 💙