Team Stoney Loons taking on the Ride London100 challenge!

Keen cyclist and ERUK supporter Scott Gauld is taking on the Ride London100 for the second time in July. Last year, Scott tackled the event under the blistering July sun and completed the event despite buckling a wheel and needing to buy a new one half way round! In 2017 his efforts raised £2,972.50 for Epilepsy Research UK. This time around there is a team of 8 Stoney Loons tackling the 100 mile monster.You can read all about the team members and sponsor their challenge on their online page here!Scott tells us why they are fundraising…“In 1995, my dad Graham suffered some sort of seizure in his sleep and rushed to hospital where it transpired he had been living with epilepsy for some time, it just hadn’t manifested itself as a full seizure. Epilepsy, a condition which affects 1 in 103 people, was only diagnosed after a second episode four weeks later. His condition has been managed since by a dedicated consultant neurologist who kept him seizure free for 10 years using anti-epileptic medication. A reoccurrence in 2005 started an evolving process of rebalancing anti-convulsant medication and introducing other drugs in parallel as specialists became aware of new treatments albeit all carrying the risk that the slightest adjustment could make the condition worse. His condition has been stabilised, but he continues to be plagued by complex seizures and is presently considered to be “drug resistant”.Drug-resistant focal epilepsies are notoriously difficult to manage and impact enormously on the lives of all those affected. This is where the important work of “Epilepsy Research UK” kicks in by providing the very significant funding required for research and development of new treatments to improve the quality of life of all those impacted.My dad, Graham has been involved in a project assisting “Medway School of Pharmacy” with staged research looking at the significant side effects from taking various combinations of anti-epileptic medication e.g. memory impairment and sleep deprivation. He considers himself to be one of the more fortunate of those affected choosing to be in the company of those who understand the condition and willingly offer care. This allows him to carry on certain hobbies, working on committees and also with his voluntary work. This has only been possible through the total dedication of the neurologist and his tenacity in finding a treatment offering total control. Having discounted surgery, they have an ongoing dialogue re new treatments from the outcomes of intensive research funded by various charities.The work of “Epilepsy Research UK” and the varied research projects are closely followed and supported by the Gauld family. We would like to be associated too by cycling for a charity dedicated to make life easier for all those affected by epilepsy.”Good luck to Scott and all the Stoney Loons for their Ride London100 challenge we are hugely grateful for all their support.