1:50pm Sunday 22nd March 2009
A healthcare professional who works with seriously ill children is to run the Epilepsy Action 10k road race in Bradford on Sunday.
Catherine Mills, 36, is a family support respite worker at the St Stephen’s Respite Unit in St Stephen’s Road, West Bowling, for children with serious and complex health problems, which often include epilepsy.
Miss Mills, of Tyersal Avenue, Tyersal, said: “Some of them come to us for respite, to enjoy themselves, and to give their parents a bit of a break.
“They all have different needs. But it is homely and we make sure they have a nice time.”
She said working with the children, whose ages ranged from five to 18, was very rewarding.
“A lot of the communication is non-verbal because the children can’t talk,” she said.
“One girl raises her leg to communicate. It’s quite difficult to understand at first but it’s so rewarding when you break through.
“Sometimes the children might not be talking but they understand everything you say.”
Miss Mills will race through Bradford alongside hundreds of other runners on Sunday from 9am.
The run is supported by the Telegraph & Argus, Bradford Council and the Airedale Athletics squad.
It will begin and end in Centenary Square, Bradford, with runners travelling along Canal Road towards Frizinghall and back.
Prizes will be awarded for male and female first, second and third places as well as veterans. There will be free T-shirts for all competitors.
“I’m doing the race because I like running,” said Miss Mills.
“When I brought the sponsorship form to work I had such a good response because it is a charity relevant to all of us.
“Maybe the future of research could mean people will never have a seizure again.
“It gives another meaning to me doing the race.”
Entry to the Epilepsy Action 10k run has closed but people have been urged to attend the event to support the competitors.
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