Helen's bike ride success

Crawley Lions and Crawley Wellbeing have teamed up to help a woman with severe epilepsy raise money for charity by cycling around Tilgate Park.
JPCT 211013 Helen Hankins 25, is severely epileptic and is taking part in a 3 mile bike ride around Tilgate Park in aid of Riding for the Disabled. Photo by Derek MartinJPCT 211013 Helen Hankins 25, is severely epileptic and is taking part in a 3 mile bike ride around Tilgate Park in aid of Riding for the Disabled. Photo by Derek Martin
JPCT 211013 Helen Hankins 25, is severely epileptic and is taking part in a 3 mile bike ride around Tilgate Park in aid of Riding for the Disabled. Photo by Derek Martin

Helen Hankins, 25, cycled three miles in a specially adapted bike around Tilgate Park to raise money for Riding for the Disabled on Saturday.

The groups have raised £700 so far for Riding for the Disabled and more donations coming in.

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Helen Hankins, 25, said: “I am doing it to raise money for children to go horse riding, I love going.”

The Crawley Lions sponsored the bike Helen used for her fundraising.

Lion Gary Davies said: “We supported her through one of our members Lion Tamsil Abbass, who is also the youth mayor for Crawley. Tamsil and his family do wonderful work in this area and we felt it was rightfully important that we support this young lady through Tamsil, who brought it to the club’s attention.

“We are delighted that we’ve been able to be part of her fundraising and hope she goes on to bring more money in for this worthwhile cause.”

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Helen, who lives in Horsham, suffers with seizures through the day and night.

Her mum Maria Dunkley, said: “I am inspired by her. To think there is this young girl who has severe epilepsy and she wants to do something for herself and other people, which I think is really good for people with disabilities.

“It can inspire people in all walks of life to think about other people. The family have been very supportive, and Mo and the carers have been amazing getting her to where she is. She was up three times last night seizuring but got up with a smile on her face.”

Katie Hankins, 25, Helen’s twin sister said: “She deals with an awful lot and she has fits all day every day, and at night. She gets through all of it but she comes up with all these ideas to help other people. I love her to pieces and I am very proud of her.”

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Helen’s younger sister Holly Dunkley, 14, added: “She has done very well and we are all over the moon for her.”

Riding for the Disabled runs voluntary horse riding groups to provide therapy and enjoyment to people with disabilities. The charity has several groups near Crawley. For more information go to www.rda.org.uk or call 0845 658 1082.

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