Sellafield rep raises funds to support people with epilepsy

Andi Elizabeth Rutherford abseiled the tower – which is 540 feet tall and 33 stories high – to raise vital funds for the UK’s leading provider of epilepsy services.

Andi took up the Epilepsy Society’s abseil challenge because she wanted to support the charity’s work for people who suffer from this common but serious condition

One in 100 people in the UK has epilepsy and 87 people are diagnosed with the condition every day. Living with seizures can affect a person’s education, employment, ability to drive and can often lead to isolation and anxiety.

Each year 1,000 people lose their lives due to epilepsy. This includes 600 who die of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.

Andi said: “I wanted to fundraise for Epilepsy Society because I have experienced epilepsy first hand I understand the devastation it can cause to sufferers and their family.

“For a condition that is so common, it is so little understood and carries a great deal of stigma. The Epilepsy Society provides advice, and support to those affected as well as cutting edge research into the causes.

“I was scared when I did the abseil – but not as much as I am of having another seizure.

“I’m really grateful to everyone who helped me pass my £1,000 target to help the charity to support people with epilepsy.”

Claire Glazebrook, director of fundraising at Epilepsy Society said: “We are always really grateful for the amazing contribution that our fundraisers make to the charity.

“The money raised will help us to continue our pioneering research into understanding what causes epilepsy and how best to treat it. It will also enable us to support people affected by epilepsy through our information and our confidential helpline.”

Andi’s fund raising page is still open https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndiElizabethRutherford

* Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition and affects more than half a million people in the UK, around one person in every hundred.

The Epilepsy Society is the UK’s leading provider of epilepsy services. Its headquarters in Buckinghamshire are a centre for medical research into the condition, housing the only MRI scanner in the UK dedicated solely to epilepsy.

It also operates a unique NHS epilepsy assessment facility providing individual assessment, rehabilitation training and ground-breaking research opportunities. It also provides residential care to around 100 people with severe epilepsy.

The confidential helpline is open on Monday and Tuesday from 9-4pm and on Wednesdays from 9-7.30pm.

Tel: 01494 601400

www.epilepsysociety.org.uk