AN Ammanford teen is completing a 60-mile bike ride to raise money for a charity which is supporting his sister.
Jon-Paul Barcher, 16, will cycle from Ammanford to Port Talbot and back again on July 20 in aid of Epilepsy Action.
Jon-Paul’s sister, Sinead Morgan, suffers from epilepsy, and is in and out of hospital after being diagnosed aged six.
He explained: “I did a marathon last year for Helping Hearts and I wanted to do something this year that would help someone from my family.
“Sinead suffers from epilepsy, so I thought I would cycle to support Epilepsy Action.
“They are a charity dedicated to giving expert advice, reducing isolation that epilepsy causes, improving public attitudes to epilepsy, enabling vital research and supporting professionals who give care to epilepsy sufferers.
“Sinead has been told she will have epilepsy for the rest of her life. If she can fight that then I can complete this challenge.”
Every day 87 people in the UK are diagnosed with epilepsy.
Only 52 per cent of people with epilepsy in the UK are seizure-free, but it is estimated that with the right treatment that could rise to 70 per cent.
Jon-Paul has so far raised £175 for the charity ahead of his bike ride but is hoping to raise a couple of hundred pounds more before July 20.
To donate to his cause, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/jon-paul-bracher.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here