A MUM from Trimdon has been inspired to take on the Great North Run in honour of her epileptic son.

Cat Frampton will raise money for Epilepsy Action, a charity which provides advice and support to the 600,000 people with epilepsy in the UK, when she takes on the half marathon starting in Newcastle next month.

Her six-year-old son Xander was diagnosed with atypical focal epilepsy at the age of two and Mrs Frampton has seen first-hand the difference the support and advice the charity offers can make for people with the condition.

She said: “Xander has an unusual seizure type and indicators and it was a huge battle to get him diagnosed but luckily as a health professional I was able to fight his corner and get him the support and diagnosis.

“Now I’m his biggest advocate but I still have to fight for everything but a lot of families aren’t as lucky as Xander to have somebody who knows about his condition and the health system and that’s where amazing charities like Epilepsy Action come in.

“We are fortunate to be able to support him through my professional knowledge and background but most families aren’t that lucky.

“That’s why I’m taking part in the Great North Run for Epilepsy Action, to support a charity that supports people like us.

“I also work for a charity and know how important these amazing events are in generating income.”

Mrs Frampton will be one of about 57,000 runners taking part in the event on Sunday, September 9.

She will be joined on the run by new Epilepsy Action ambassador, Jordan Wylie, former soldier turned entrepreneur and author.

Mr Wylie was diagnosed with epilepsy in January and has spent the year dedicated to his Running Dangerously project, which has seen him run a 10k in Somalia, and a half-marathon in Iraq.

He will be taking time out to participate in the Great North Run for the charity, before heading off to his final challenge, a marathon in Afghanistan.

Amy Hesselden, fundraising events officer at Epilepsy Action, said: “It is fantastic that Cat is joining the 143 people taking part in the Great North Run for Epilepsy Action this year.

“Since 2005, 1,100 runners have raised over £500,000 for the charity, which has helped us make a huge difference to people living with epilepsy.”

According to the charity, epilepsy affects around one in every 100 people in the UK and 87 people are diagnosed with the condition every day. Each year, Epilepsy Action’s services are used over a million times.