Now 15, Charlie completed the challenge alongside his dad, uncles and a group of friends who have continued to support the family over the years. Together, they raised more than £5,000 including Gift Aid for epilepsy research, exceeding Charlie’s initial fundraising target of £1,000.
The C2C is a challenging cycle route across northern England, traditionally running from the Irish Sea coast, across the Lake District and Pennines, to the North Sea coast. For Charlie’s challenge, the route was adapted to finish in Peterlee – making the ride particularly meaningful as the family returned to the location of their very first charity bike ride.
This was not Charlie’s first fundraising challenge in Ollie’s memory. At just nine years old, he climbed Scafell Pike and raised an incredible £1,444 for epilepsy research.
Ollie was born in 2013 and began having seizures just days after birth. After six months in hospital and countless tests and treatments, he was diagnosed with migrating partial epilepsy in infancy, a rare and devastating form of epilepsy. Despite numerous medications, sedation and a ketogenic diet, Ollie continued to experience more than 100 seizures a day. Tragically, he died aged just three.
For Charlie, taking on the C2C was a personal tribute to his little brother, while also helping to support other families affected by epilepsy.
“As a family, we know how important it is to support charities, especially when it comes to funding research into illnesses like epilepsy. For years, I’ve watched my dad and family raise money through bike rides, boxing, football, walks and lots of other events. So, when I was asked to take part in the C2C for the 10th anniversary of Ollie’s passing, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. It was a chance to remember my little brother and help other families affected by epilepsy.”
Charlie
Charlie’s challenge is helping to keep Ollie’s memory alive while supporting the search for better treatments and, ultimately, a future where fewer families have to experience the devastating impact of epilepsy.
We are incredibly grateful to Charlie, his family, friends and everyone who supported the challenge for helping to honour Ollie’s memory and raise vital funds for epilepsy research. Their generosity will help us continue supporting research into better treatments and, ultimately, a future where fewer families experience the devastating impact of epilepsy.
