Team effort: from left, support driver Shane England-Gregory, Dave Sherwin and chaplain David Jeal
A Keynsham man today (Tuesday 18th March) set off on a 130-mile walk to Bude in Cornwall to raise money in memory of his niece who died last year from epilepsy.
Dave Sherwin – nickname Pasty – is doing the walk for Georgie Butler, who died in October after a 20-year battle with the disease.
Dave, a self-employed builder, set from The Old Bank in Keynsham High Street. Among those walking the first mile with him were supporters including Bristol Rovers’ chaplain David Jeal.
Dave will be accompanied on his 130-mile journey by a support vehicle driven by friend Shane England-Gregory and is carrying collecting tins so that he can get donations en route.
Among those waving him off today were his wife Marie and stepson Kye.
Dave plans to arrive in time for a special fundraising event on Saturday (22nd March) in the village of Marhamchurch, near Bude, where both he and Georgie grew up.
Dave said: “Georgie had suffered all her life but never moaned and always said she was glad it was her who had to contend with this illness, rather than her two younger sisters. The nature of her epilepsy was not as common as some as she suffered nocturnal seizures which happened every night for 20 years, meaning she never had a restful sleep.
“Some nights Georgie would fit all night, one after another, but she dealt with this awful card in a brave, positive manner. Georgie packed an awful lot into her short life and in December 2012 became a mummy to her beautiful little girl, my great-niece Cali.”
“On 22nd March Georgie would have been 21 and because we as a family can’t celebrate that with her, we wanted to raise awareness for epilepsy and money for the Epilepsy Society, to may be help with research for others who suffer, and as Georgie’s dad Neal also has the same condition, it is close to all our hearts.”
On the 22nd there will be a fundraising event in the village hall in Marhamchurch. Dave’s sister Wendy, a hairdresser, will be doing cuts for £5 with all donations going to the Epilepsy Society. There will be a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and a tea shop will serve refreshments all day.
Meanwhile Dave’s youngest sister Sue (Georgie’s mum) and a friend are having their heads shaved for the cause.
You can sponsor Dave at http://www.justgiving.com/David-Sherwin
There are collection tins at the Old Bank in Keynsham and at Kingswood Café on Hanham Road in Kingswood.
