In November 2022, at the age of 36, I woke up in the middle of the night, sore, dazed and very confused. I was told I had experienced my first tonic-clonic seizure. Life changed overnight. I didn't know it at the time but this was the first of around a dozen seizures during sleep that I was going to experience over the next 3 years.

As the mum of a 1 and 3 year old, I soon came to realise the huge impact that this was going to have on my life and those around me. The sporadic nature of my seizures meant I was always on edge, especially when I was alone with my kids. Eventually a pattern of nocturnal seizures was established and I started the long journey of finding a medication what would hopefully fully control them with minimal side-effects.

Many people suffer from drug-resistant epilepsy and I feel very greatful that I have been one of the "lucky" ones. If it wasn't for my journey, I don't think I would have ever signed up for a challenge like the Great North Run and I wanted to reflect this by making a difference to those who's epilepsy journeys have taken a different path.

The help and support that The Daisy Garland gives to the children and families impacted by epilepsy is a lifeline to many people. Their programme to reduce the risk of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) funds life-saving, night-time breathing monitors for use in the home, keeping children safe whilst they sleep. These monitors are not available on the NHS for home use.

My goal is to buy a £455 epilepsy monitor to give one family comfort and peace of mind at night.

Dani Walrond