Epilepsy Action UK urges runners to sign up for Bradford 10k (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Epilepsy Action UK urges runners to sign up for Bradford 10k

7:00am Sunday 3rd March 2013 in News

The organisers of Epilepsy Action’s 10k run in Bradford are appealing for more runners to sign up after uncertainly over the future of the separate City Run led to confusion over whether it was still taking place.

The Yeadon-based charity, which will hold its sixth 10k run in the city on Sunday, March 24, said it had received a number of inquiries about whether the event was still going ahead after the Telegraph & Argus reported last month that the Bradford Council-organised City Run could be axed to save cash.

Funding has now been secured for the City Run after a Council budget meeting on Thursday, with £40,000 earmarked to run an event.

But a spokesman for Epilepsy Action reiterated that its run is also taking place and there is still time to enter.

Katie Stocks, fundraising events officer, said: “The Bradford 10k has been a fantastic event for the city over the last six years. There is always a great atmosphere and sense of occasion on the day.

“Each year we receive overwhelming support from the people of West Yorkshire. Every penny raised helps Epilepsy Action to continue its vital work supporting people with epilepsy all across the UK, including over 40,000 in the Yorkshire and Humber region alone.”

One runner tackling the course from Centenary Square to Frizinghall and back is 25-year-old Christian Walshe, of Thornton, whose girlfriend, Jess Shaw, 22, was diagnosed with epilepsy after having a fit at work last July.

He said: ”I have had to see her constant struggle with medication and the side effects it causes, and the loss of her confidence.

“At first she didn’t want to tell anyone. She was so frightened of the judgements of other people who have no clue what epilepsy really is. I want to run the Bradford 10k to show Jess that she is still perfect to me and to give her confidence by raising awareness.

“There are a lot of myths about epilepsy and hopefully by taking part people will learn more about it.”

Christian will join around 1,500 runners who will take to the streets of Bradford during the event, which has raised £170,000 for Epilepsy Action since it started in 2009.

For more information about the Epilepsy Action Bradford 10k, or to sign up, visit epilepsy.org.uk/ bradford10k, or call the fundraising team on (0113) 2108800.

The closing date for entries is Sunday March, 17.