Kev Ringland to cycle around the world to raise awareness of epilepsy

Kev Ringland, of Scarcroft Road, York, will cycle about 600,000 kilometres, meeting global experts on epilepsy, in order to address ignorance and fear of the condition.

The 29-year-old has had epilepsy since he was nine and still suffers from fits which can leave him unconscious for up to 42 hours.

He said: “I’ve had trouble with work, getting and keeping a job, because of people’s complete and utter fear of epilepsy in general.

“There is still the old stigma attached to it that it’s a possession disease because you drop down and shake around.”

Kev decided he needed to address this perception when he said his mother told him she wouldn’t be able to deal with the condition if she had it.

He said: “She told me if she ever had it she would kill herself. She knows I can deal with it, no problem. But she couldn’t deal with it herself.

“I understand that it frightens people, but I would like to get some actual facts out there. I enjoy a drink, I smoke, I go out and have a life and I have fits. It doesn’t stop me living a normal life. I still suffer from attacks, but I’ve had it a long time so I am used to it.”

Kev will leave York on August 2, which is his 30th birthday, and will cycle through Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Russia, before returning to Europe.

He expects to cover between 80 and 100 miles per day, with stops to meet epilepsy experts.

He will report all of the information he finds in his blog at theepilepsycharity.com which is being revamped for him by York-based Snapshot Media. Cycle Heaven, on Bishopthorpe Road, York, is also providing him with parts and servicing.

Kev has already cycled from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in Scotland and is planning a tour of Britain and an East to West coast trip to try to attract £5,000 corporate sponsorship.