Sailfish-Swimming-Club

Through sponsorship and lots of lengths of the swimming pool, junior members of Sailfish Swimming Club raised a superb £700 for Dravet Syndrome UK.

On Friday 25th October 2013, the cheque will be presented to Rebekah Hughes, who swims with Sailflish Swimming Club and suffers from Dravet Syndrome.  The funds will help with the research into a cure and better treatment.

Ava, who raised the most money, and Kate, who swam the furthest, will present the cheque.

Dravet syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a rare and catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy.  Initial seizures are most often prolonged events and in the second year of life other seizure types begin to emerge.  Development remains on track initially, with plateaus and a progressive decline typically beginning in the second year of life.  Individuals with Dravet syndrome face a higher incidence of SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy) and have associated conditions, which also need to be properly treated and managed.

Dravet Syndrome UK is an independent UK charity (registration number: 1128289) dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults living with Dravet Syndrome and other related genetic sodium channel epilepsies through medical research, education and awareness and appropriate support.  More information about the syndrome and their work can be found online at: www.dravet.org.uk

Sailfish Swimming Club, run by Helena Spurrell, regularly raise funds for charity with their sponsored swims. www.sailfish.co.uk

ICENI Taekwon-do