Pedal power to boost charity

A WORTHING photographer and DJ is in training for a 100 -mile cycle to raise money for the Epilepsy Society.

Tom Crawford, of King Street, Worthing, has been taking part in one charity event per year to raise money for the charity since being diagnosed with epilepsy a decade ago.

The 49-year-old will complete the 100 mile cycle ride from London to Surrey, which is the same as the Olympic road racing route, on August 10.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “You have to put in an estimated time and I think I was a little ambitious as I put myself down for a time of five hours.

“This means that I have had to go out training a little more than usual, at least three times a week, and can usually be spotted somewhere around the South Downs.

“I have been doing anything from 40 to 80 miles and know I have a little way to go still but I am really excited.”

Last year, he completed a dawn to dusk bike ride to mark Purple Day, which is dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide.

Tom said: “That was quite hard because it was really cold.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The year before, we did Alexandra Palace to Brighton at night which was also difficult.

“I am determined to raise money for the Epilepsy Society since my diagnosis because my life has changed dramatically.”

Tom was told that he was epileptic after being in a car accident while test driving the car to write a magazine article.

He said; “The car just blew up and the doctors think the shock of the accident triggered epilepsy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I found out that I had always had a mild form of epilepsy without even realising.

“It took me quite a while to accept it as all I kept 
thinking was how can this happen.

“I was not even hurt in the accident so I could not understand how it could cause such a dramatic change.

“Before, I ran a bike shop in Battle, but it is impossible to hold down a job and work normal hours now.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I tend to live my life day-to-day because you do not know how things are going to affect you when you wake up in the morning.

“Now I do photography and DJ and we have a big event coming up on July 5 which will also raise money for the Epilepsy Society.

Tom controls his condition with medication but is currently undergoing tests so doctors can make his life easier.

He said: “The Epilepsy Society does amazing work and has some incredible equipment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I have just spent a week at the big unit at Chalfont St Peters having lots of 
tests done because I have already been on a variety of different drugs but still have problems including memory loss.

“I want to raise money so that the society can continue to carry out research.

“The work the society does is vital in helping sufferers.”

To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/tom-crawford5