A MOTHER is preparing to scale Britain's highest mountain to raise money for an epilepsy charity.

Jill Wood is determined to conquer 4,408 ft Ben Nevis in Scotland and raise money for Epilepsy Action, following her 10-year-old daughter Melissa's diagnosis with the condition.

Since the age of eight the Blackshaw Primary pupil has suffered from photosynthesis epilepsy which meant if she was exposed to flickering lights or watched Playstation videos she started to twitch.

But four months ago Melissa began to suffer from seizures and was diagnosed with a more serous form of epilepsy, called juvenile myclonic epilepsy. The condition means she is more likely to have seizures in the early morning or on waking.

Without medication to keep the epilepsy under control, Melissa suffers on average one seizure every week.

Jill, aged 38, a finance officer of Harpford Close, Bolton, said: "Climbing Ben Nevis is purely a parental need because when your daughter gets diagnosed with epilepsy there is nothing you can do. You feel totally helpless.

"All I can do is watch her and give her pills, there's nothing I can do to stop it. This is something I can do to make a difference."

Melissa suffered her first seizure during the May bank holiday when she was on a Brownie camp. The seizure caused her to fall out of her bunk bed, blacken her eye and bruise her head.

When she returned to her home, she suffered a seizure infront of her mother. Jill said watching her daughter suffer was terrifying. Melissa turned blue causing Jill to call for an ambulance.

Thankfully, Melissa has not had a seizure for some time due to the medication she is now on. Although the epilepsy is incurable, doctors may consider weening her off the medication if she continues to do well.

Single mum Jill said the diagnosis has altered their lives. "Melissa is more fearful," she explained." She doesn't want to go away from home in case she feels unwell as she worried she will have a seizure. It's always on her mind."

Epilepsy Action provides help and information for parents. It operates a freephone telephone helpline 0808 800 5050.

If anyone would like to sponsor Jill on her big walk on October 9 can contact her at www.justgiving.com/melswalk