EPILEPSY sufferer seven-year-old Alyce-Jayne Greenwood will get on her pony and ride for 32 miles to raise awareness of the condition.

The youngster and 25-year-old Poppy will be joined on the three-day sponsored venture in the Lake District by her mum Ann, riding her horse James.

Mrs Greenwood, of Barden Lane, Burnley, said: "People don't seem to know a lot about epilepsy and yet there are 800 people in Burnley and Pendle who suffer with it. We are always reading about people fund-raising for cancer charities or other illnesses but rarely for epilepsy, which is why we decided to organise the event.

"We first noticed something was not right when Alyce-Jayne began falling a lot at 18 months. The doctors diagnosed epilepsy. "She can have hundreds of drop attacks in a single day, where she suddenly falls to the floor and gets back up again. She also suffers from seizures.

"She is under specialist consultant Professor Janet Eyre at Newcastle General Hospital.

"We go to see her about three times a year with Alyce-Jayne stopping for two to three weeks each time if she has been prescribed different medication."

Alyce-Jayne has her own one-to-one tutor at St Mary's School, Newchurch-in-Pendle.

Mrs Greenwood said: "We have been sponsored by family and friends and school pals at Alyce-Jayne's school.

"First Choice Pet Foods, Burnley, have also sponsored accommodation for the horses at night and someone else has agreed to pay for the diesel.

"We would be grateful to hear from anyone who wants to sponsor us. The money raised will got to Professor Eyre for research into the condition."

The ride, on May 9 to 11, coincides with national epilepsy week.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Mrs Greenwood and Alice-Jayne can contact 01282 702694.

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