Martin is a retired company director and lives in Chippenham, Wiltshire. In June, he and his family are taking on a 1000-mile cycling challenge inspired by Martin’s granddaughter, Eliza, who was recently diagnosed with epilepsy.

The 1000-mile challenge is in two parts: the family are cycling 500 miles by whatever means (on the road, at home on a bike trainer etc.) and Martin and some friends will be cycling the other 500 miles (it’s actually around 512 miles but who’s counting!) from Eliza's house in west Wales to Martin's in Saint Benoit du Sault, France.

As a family we felt we had to do something to raise awareness of epilepsy. We didn’t recognise the initial signs and when we told people about Eliza’s diagnosis the responses were so similar: ‘So sorry to hear that, but I’m sure medication will sort that out?’ As we know, for some, that’s far from reality. 

The Epilepsy Research Institute’s mission is to radically advance research for the 1 in 100 people living with epilepsy.

A life free from epilepsy is possible. But only through research.