Girl with Rare Epilepsy Inspires Auto Windscreens’ Charity Vans

Five-year-old epilepsy sufferer, Ffion Hughes has inspired us to launch eight special Young Epilepsy charity-branded vans across Milton Keynes, Northampton and Oxford.

Ffion suffered up to 50 seizures a day when she was born and is unable to walk or speak. She has a very rare gene mutation called STXBP1 and as a result suffers with severe epilepsy. She has been undergoing treatment to help control the condition since birth and her mum, Louise, says Young Epilepsy has been vital in providing support at every stage of the family’s journey.

Louise commented: “It was heart-wrenching having to watch your child go through something like this and not being able to do anything to stop it. At the time I felt like my world was falling apart.”

“Young Epilepsy were there to offer support and without the research conducted by them to develop breakthrough medicines, we may not have been able to curb Ffion’s seizures.”

Young Epilepsy is the only UK charity dedicated to creating better lives for children and young people with epilepsy and other related conditions.

We were made aware of the cause through Ffion’s cousin, Ellie Ribbans, Supervisor at our Central North Area Deployment Centre. Ellie explained how important the charity was to her and was keen to help promote its services and research.

Shaun Atton, Auto Windscreens Fleet Manager, commented: “Young Epilepsy is a great cause and I’m pleased that we are able to help raise the profile of an organisation that’s been so important to Ellie and her family. Any drivers following one of the vans will be sure to spot the Young Epilepsy logo.”

We operate charity-branded vans across our near 300-strong UK fleet.

Carmen Spiers, Corporate Partnership Manager at Young Epilepsy added: “It’s wonderful to hear that we were able to support Ffion, her mother Louise and their family, and we are really grateful to Ellie for nominating us for this unique opportunity. It’s a great way to raise awareness of Young Epilepsy in the area.”

To support Ffion, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kidslikefifi.