100-mile fundraising walk for Kirkcaldy girl , 9, to help on Purple Day

At the start of the year Ruby Penman, 9, set out to walk 100 miles between January 20 and March 26 in the hope of collecting £500 to be split between the Children’s Ward at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy and the paediatric epilepsy team at the hospital.

The Capshard Primary pupil wanted to do something for Purple Day on March 26 in support of epilepsy awareness.

The cause is one close to Ruby’s heart as her little sister Lacey, 5, has epilepsy. She was diagnosed at the age of six months with the condition and since then has suffered hundreds of seizures and had lots of stays in hospital – including many in the high dependency unit.

Because Lacey, who is in primary one at Capshard primary, has received such incredible support and care in both the children’s ward and from the paediatric epilepsy team, Ruby wanted to do something for the staff in return.

Mum Niaomi said: “Two years ago Ruby coaxed her class into raising money for a local epilepsy charity. The plan last year was for her to do something again with her class but couldn’t as we were in lockdown.

"So she was adamant at new year that she was going to do something in 2021 whether we were in lockdown or not.

"She knew she would have to do it herself so she thought of raising money by walking at least 100 miles. She has really enjoyed it.

"She has been managing around 5k a day and she wanted to hit 100 miles before she went back to school. We have been walking just in Kirkcaldy near our home and she has now walked 140 miles and will continue to walk as many miles as she can by Friday.

"She thought £500 would be a lot to raise but the response has been amazing – she has now collected around £1640 and we are still getting donations!”

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Niaomi explained why she chose the two causes.

“The support that we get from the epilepsy unit has been incredible.

“Laura who is Lacey’s epilepsy specialist nurse and her consultant Dr Cruden have been amazing.

"The epilepsy team at Victoria Hospital has helped in both treating Lacey and also helping Ruby to understand Lacey’s condition. They also helped us as parents.

“The children’s ward has also played a massive part in helping our family.

"When Lacey gets rushed into hospital we always end up on the children’s ward. The staff always take amazing care of her.

"We will forever be grateful to all the staff in the kids ward and the epilepsy team."

Niaomi said Lacey has a rare genetic condition and is on many medications to try to control her seizures, and that Ruby has a really good understanding of epilepsy as a result of this and is very protective of her little sister.

She added: “Myself and Ruby’s dad Craig are so proud of her – she has been amazing. She is just such a caring and supportive daughter and sister.”

Anyone wanting to make a donation to Ruby’s Just Giving page can do so here

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