Walk raises over £10k for Chichester children’s ward

• You organised your partner to lead a group of friends on a walk from Eastbourne to Winchester in aid of the children’s ward at St Richard’s Hospital recently. Why?

My daughter Connie is epileptic. During lockdown her seizures got worse. She has spent a lot of time in Howard Ward and we noticed that they had a wish list for toys for the play room. The walk was my idea, but Connie’s dad, Billy Stallwood, got it all arranged. We have raised money for the epilepsy society before, but this was the big one.

• Were the participants all regular walkers?

No! And they seriously underestimated how hard it was going to be. 100 miles up and down hills, they had their feet in ice buckets when they camped up at night. They had blisters on their blisters!

• When was Connie diagnosed with epilepsy?

At seven years old. The first time she had a seizure I thought she was dying in my arms – it was so scary. As children go through adolescence epilepsy can get more severe. During lockdown this happened and it was so worrying. Connie has full and partial seizures. When she has full seizures it can be horrendous. She takes her medicine and she never moans, but she’s frightened.

• What makes Howard Ward so special?

It is amazing. All the staff there make us feel so safe. They are just incredible – doctors, nurses, those who come round and do activities with the children, the paramedics – everyone. The standard of care goes above and beyond and it’s definitely our ‘safe hub’. This is just our way of saying thank you. Howard Ward is used by children all over West Sussex. You hope you’ll never need it, but if you did, you would want your child to have things to play with so they can forget about how poorly they are for a while.

• Will you tell me about Connie?

Connie is at Lavant Primary School and will go to Midhurst Rother College next year. She’s amazing. She loves dancing and arts and crafts. She is very creative and dramatic. She is good, kind and the bubbliest and most wonderful little girl you could ask for. She has two brothers; Charlie who is twelve – he did the first day of the walk – and Billy who is three. Neither of them has epilepsy, fingers crossed. It can be hereditary, but we have no one in our family with it. There’s no cure; you just have to learn to manage it. Some children grow out of it, but it doesn’t look likely for Connie,

• How much have you raised?

We aimed to raise £5,000, but at the last count it was over £10,000! A big thank you to the boys for all they have done, and big thanks to all those who have donated. It means the world.

If anyone else wants to donate then please visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emma-cole-4

For more information visit www.epilepsysociety.org.uk

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