A Baildon woman hopes her mammoth efforts will add up to a successful year of fundraising.

Every month until her 21st birthday Nichole Tinnion will tackle two challenges linked to the number 21 to raise money for Epilepsy Action. The charity supports her mother, Angela Cranny, who was diagnosed with the condition 32 years ago.

Activities include 21 days without drinking, eating 21 foods she does not like, photographing the Epilepsy Action teddy bear at 21 landmarks around the world and asking 21 people to do the conga. Nichole, who turns 21 next January, started her fundraising at the beginning of the year. The IT service analyst had always wanted to raise cash for the charity, but was inspired to do something after she helped a woman with epilepsy at a train station.

She said: “My mum was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 16 years old. From a very early age she taught me and my brother what to do if she had a seizure. I remember a book she made me and my brother read through.

“In December last year I was waiting for the train to work when a girl told me her mum was not feeling well. Suddenly the woman fell to the ground and started to have a seizure. The young girl told me her mother had epilepsy and was understandably shocked and upset. I quickly put the lady in the recovery position, made sure she could breathe and was careful not to restrict her movement. The experience made me realise how lucky I am to have had the support I did as a child to understand epilepsy.”

“When mum was diagnosed it was very much seen as a taboo thing. No-one really understood it, whereas now you quite often hear of people who have epilepsy,” she said.

Nichole, of The Grove, Baildon, said staying silent for 21 hours was particuarly tough.“I’m a massive Everton fan and picked to do the sponsored challenge on the day of the Man United and Everton game. My boyfriend’s nephew was paraded in front of me in a Man United shirt. It was hard, but I did it!”

This month Nichole, who is studying for an Open University business degree and volunteers for Guiseley Ladies, is asking 21 people to donate £2.10 and will bake 21 cupcakes to sell.

She is also searching for charities to do 21 hours of volunteering with.

Nichole has so far raised £290 of her £1,200 target, including a £100 donation from her employer, Asda.