Couple on a year-long fundraising mission

Jillie (a trampoline coach) and Jason Slope (an aircraft engineer) have chosen a charity close to their hearts - Young Epilepsy.

Their close friends have a son with epilepsy who is 10 and this charity have helped both him and his family a great deal over the years.

From birth he has struggled with life-threatening seizures, weakness on his left hand side and being unable to swallow.

He has managed to come through these challenges - fighting. He has overcome many hurdles including being told he will never swim (which he has managed), to riding a bike at 10 and attending Jillie’s trampolining lessons (exceeding her expectations!)

Jillie said: “Matthew is our inspiration. He is 10 years old and NEVER gives up or lets anything stop him. How can we not complete our challenges?”

With him in mind they have decided to approach each of their challenges with the same gusto. Jillie is not a fast runner, has a phobia of cold deep water and has also decided to increase her distance.

Jason also decided to push himself and attempt his first ever Marathon and Triathlon.

Their first challenge was the NUTS Challenge at Leigh, near Dorking on September 5. It is a 100+ obstacle 7k race through mud, deep cold water, trenches, cargo nets, firemans poles, tyres, woods and much more. This was Jillie’s 1st and Jason’s 7th time.

The next was a 25 mile bike ride over the Downs Link Southwater to Bramber and back.

Jillie did a 5k colour obstacle run in Lingfield with 10 inflatable obstacles and nine colour stations on September 19.

On September 20 was Jason’s first ever triathlon at K2 - 600m swim, 22k cycle and 6k run .

Jason did the Barns Green half marathon on September 27.

October 10 was a 5k Brighton Colour Run for Jillie.

Jason also did the Royal Parks London encompassing Hyde, Green and St James’s Parks on October 11.

Both of them did a 5k Santa Run at K2 in Crawley on November 22.

December 5 Jillie did the Worthing Running Sisters 10k along Worthing Seafront in Christmas fancy dress.

December 8 was a Santa Run at Lingfield Race Course for the pair.

Another 5k Santa Run at Lingfield followed for them both on December 13.

The challenge resumed in March 2016 with the Nuts Challenge for Jason in Dorking on March 5.

They returned to Dorking on March 6 for the Wife Carrying Race.

Forthcoming events include:

- Brighton Marathon for Jason April 17.

- They are doing a 5k Chicken Run in Brighton On April 24.

- Color Obstacle Rush in Brighton for both on April 30.

- Nutbourne Vineyards Cross Country Course on May 15.

- Race for Life in Horsham Park for Jillie on June 5.

- Brighton Pretty Muddy 5k for Jillie on July 3.

- Surrey Badger Half Marathon (Denbies Wine Estate) for Jason on July 10.

- The Gauntlet Games on August 6, combining a 5k run with Gladiators to battle against.

- The Nuts Challenge for both on September 3.

- The Colour Run at Brighton on September 17.

They have sent up a Just Giving page for these challenges and are appealing for people to show their support by giving a donation.

https://www.justgiving.com/JillieJason-Slope

Young Epilepsy is the national charity working exclusively on behalf of children and young people with epilepsy.

With over 100 years expertise it provides world class diagnosis, assessment and rehabilitation.

It also has a specialist school and college providing day, residential and short break services, up to the age of 25, offering education and healthcare for children and young people with epilepsy, autism and other neurological conditions.

Young Epilepsy aims to achieve better futures for young lives and to raise awareness and understanding of epilepsy and issues associated with the condition.

The charity provides support and information for parents, children and young people and training for professionals.

It campaigns for better access to and quality of, health and education services.

They offer tailor-made training across the country for parents, teenagers and health, social care and education professionals and also work in schools.

Visit www.youngepilepsy.org.uk

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