A Tetbury-based chef and devoted father, Paul Davey-Hicks, is planning a 24-hour car push to raise money for the charity, Young Epilepsy.

His seven year old daughter, Florence, who attends St Mary’s School in Tetbury, was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2019.

Paul said: “Florence was amazing and really brave throughout the whole series of tests that were needed to find out what was wrong. I was so proud of her.”

Whilst at a Young Epilepsy parents’ meeting, Paul learned about the MEG system, which provides a far less stressful experience for young patients.

Current MEG systems are large, expensive to run and require young children to sit absolutely still whilst being monitored or even require the child to be sedated.

The new MEG imaging technique records brain function using a smaller, more child-friendly tool in the form of a wearable MEG helmet, which allows the child to move around, but still gives an accurate diagnosis and evaluation of children with epilepsy.

Paul realised that many children were probably not as brave as Florence during their tests and assessments and decided to try to raise money for Young Epilepsy in order to provide more MEG helmets for UK hospitals.

So far, he has raised £1,353 of his £10,000 target.

Paul now plans to undertake a 24-hour car push at Cotswold Airport near Kemble using a Kia Picanto.

He said: “I am really grateful to Fish Brothers, Swindon for loaning me the car and to Cotswold Airport for allowing me to use the airfield.”

The push will start at 2pm on Saturday, May 22, and will finish at the same time on Sunday, May 23.

Paul, who has run Cotswold Caterers since 2008, said: “I will be able to take occasional comfort breaks, but I intend to keep on pushing for the whole 24 hours.”

Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, only 50 people are allowed to attend the event but, if anyone would like to support Paul and Florence by donating to the Young Epilepsy MEG Project, please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/carpushyoungepilepsy.