On Saturday 14th August, Oli Goldsmith and his team of riders, set off from Bournemouth to Brighton to complete their 100 mile 'Pier to Pier' Challenge, in memory of his dear sister Faye Holden, who passed away suddenly in 2016 from epilespy, at the age of just 25.  

⁠Faye first contacted Smile4Wessex in 2014 when she explained that she'd lived with epilepsy from the age of 6 and that the Wessex Neurological Team have been amazingly helpful throughout the years and that she wanted to give something back, and so set about fundraising. In September 2014, Faye completed a 40-mile cycle ride to raise funds, and in the years that have followed, family members and friends have taken part in numerous challenges in Faye's memory, including the Bournemouth Half Marathon and the 100km Thames Path Challenge, in support of the Wessex Neurological Centre.

Oli was accompanied by his dad, John, for their mammoth challenge; who told us

"A large group gathered excitedly at Bournemouth Pier at 7am on Saturday to wave us off.  Faye, as she always does on significant occasions, sent us sunny and dry weather so we knew she was with us all the way" 

With three pit stops and plenty of careful navigation around lots of staycation traffic along the coast, the team finally arrived at Brighton Pier at 5pm... even beating the support vehicle, which carried Jackie (John's wife) who had supplied them with food and drinks along the way. 

Oli and his family are hugely grateful to everyone for their exceptionally generous donations in aid of Epilepsy Research and Smile4Wessex, which have raised a staggering £3,869.93!! 

In addition to the impact epilepsy has had on their own family, John told us that three members of the support team families also suffer from epilepsy, so they intend to continue fundraising in the future for the two charities closest to their hearts. 

To support their incredible challenge, please visit their fundraising page HERE