Dad-of-two James Bryant is taking on a 24-hour running challenge inspired by the struggle faced by two of his loved ones to live with epilepsy.

He aims to do 24 miles in 24 hours - a mile every hour - to raise money for Epilepsy Research UK, the only national charity dedicated to funding research into epilepsy.

His wife and his sister both have the condition.

Despite decades of research, people with epilepsy still face significant challenges. Getting the right diagnosis can take years.

One in three people with epilepsy still lives with uncontrolled seizures. And tragically, there are 21 epilepsy-related deaths every week.

James, 36, from Larkhill, said, “Epilepsy Research UK is a charity that is very close to my heart, as both my wife and sister live with the condition.

"I want to do my bit in helping to make a change by supporting vital research.

"My younger sister was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 14, she lost all her confidence, didn’t want to go out with her friends and became secluded, shutting herself away.

"Over the years she has built her confidence and manages the condition as best as she can, but still lives with it on a daily basis," he explained.

"She is now 34 and has never learnt to drive, you need to be seizure-free for at least a year and unfortunately this has never happened.

"She now accepts that she will never be able to drive missing out on the independence it can bring.

He said: "My wife was diagnosed when we were dating, she was 27, and it has affected both of us over the years.

" She has had to surrender her license a couple of times, given up work due to her health and we unfortunately we got into a lot of debt going from two wages to just one we lost our flat and car.

"We’ve had some tough times but with her optimistic determined attitude, just like my sister, we have kept our heads held high and managed as best as we can. I am so proud of them both and admire their strength and resilience.

Marketing and events manager for Epilepsy Research UK Rebecca Mee, said, “This is an incredible and gruelling challenge that James has decided to take on.

"We’re so grateful to James for his phenomenal support and commitment to raising vital funds for research into epilepsy. We hope one day, through more research, we can stop epilepsy from interrupting lives for good.

"But we can only do this through the generosity of our wonderful supporters, like James.”

Visit epilepsyresearch.org.uk/donate