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Folkestone mum Toni Barnett walks from Dungeness to Sandgate to raise awareness about epilepsy

A mum whose young son suffers from epilepsy has vowed to help other sufferers after completing her first fundraising challenge at the weekend.

Toni Barnett, who lives in Golden Valley, Folkestone, walked the 16 miles between Dungeness and Sandgate on Saturday to raise awareness of the condition.

Her son Jack, who turns four next week, has suffered two life-threatening seizures and he had to be revived by paramedics on both occasions.

Toni and her three-year-old son Jack
Toni and her three-year-old son Jack

Toni is now hoping to raise awareness of the condition so the public could help save someone’s life if they see them suffering a seizure.

She said: “The main advice if you see someone having a seizure is to call 999, obviously, and time the seizure or how long you’ve been there, and put them on their side. It will be helping paramedics or save their life.

“If you seizure for too long it can cause brain damage.

“With the epilepsy itself not a lot of people make themselves aware of it and that was the case with Jack. His first attack was unexpected. I didn’t know medically what to do other than call an ambulance.

“The condition has no cure and you’re so helpless as parents and can’t make it any better.

“So being able to do something is better than sitting at home and is a focus on helping Jack but also others.

“You just spend a lifetime worrying. It’s heartbreaking to see anyone with it, let alone a little boy and your son.”

Toni Barnett (second from left) walked from Dungeness to Sandgate for Epilepsy Society, with Alan Davis, Toni Barnett, Dean Jones, son Jack Jones and Gill Davis
Toni Barnett (second from left) walked from Dungeness to Sandgate for Epilepsy Society, with Alan Davis, Toni Barnett, Dean Jones, son Jack Jones and Gill Davis

The walk has raised more than £1,500 for the Epilepsy Society, three times more than she was hoping and along with her partner Dean Jones, Jack’s dad, the family are hoping to do more.

Toni added: “It’s amazing to have raised triple the target, which is brilliant.

“I know how brilliant the charity is and how important the information they’ve given out to parents is. Just that is a big help.

“The walk went a lot quicker than I thought – I thought it was going to be six hours.

“I got to Hythe and my feet and hips were sore but it was a nice walk and a lot of people were supporting me, which made it easier.

“It’s not a one-off and it was nice to see how everyone came together for Jack and my family.

“I think a longer walk might push myself into thinking of doing other things. There’s never too much fundraising.”

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