A TAVISTOCK man will be taking on his first-ever marathon run, having won a place in the world famous London event, raising money for an epilepsy charity.

Gavin Boyle, 28, will be running the 26.2-miles on April 26 as part of the 'Action Heroes Team' running for Epilepsy Action. Out of 40,000 runners for the event, he will be just one in a team of 32 runners taking part in aid of Epilepsy Action at the 35th anniversary of the famous race.

Gavin will be the only representative from Devon running and fundraising for the epilepsy charity.

Gavin said: 'Not only have I been granted a place in the London Marathon but I am fortunate to have the opportunity to run for this charity that is very special to myself, my girlfriend, family and friends.

'I have seen first hand how Epilepsy Action can change people's lives.

'My girlfriend, who is now 29, has had epilepsy since the age of 16. I have known her since we were 14 at Tavistock College and have seen proof that all the money raised really does make a difference and our family and friends are eternally grateful.

'I therefore need as much support as I can to help me complete this challenge of a lifetime and raise money for this amazing charity.'

By taking part in the marathon, Gavin hopes to raise £1,750 for Epilepsy Action.

'My main aim is to help raise awareness of the condition.

'Epilepsy is often referred to as the "hidden condition".

'This is because unless someone sees a person having a seizure, they often have no idea that they have it!'

Gavin said Epilepsy Action was hoping to help the general public see what epilepsy looks like and clear up some common misunderstandings about the condition.

Epilepsy Action gives support to more than 600,000 people of all ages living in the UK, giving them the support they need for such a scary and uncontrollable condition, which can happen to anyone at any time in their life.

The charity believes that it is important for people with epilepsy and their families and friends to be aware of the risks associated with the condition.

It is the most common, serious, neurological condition in the world and can affect anyone at any time.

There are around 40 different types of seizure, which are divided into two main areas — generalised, where the whole brain is affected and consciousness is lost, and partial (or focal), where only part of the brain is affected.

The most serious case is SUDEP (Sudden and Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Patients), which affects mostly children.

Gavin said: 'I have so far raised over £400 through various events such as cake sales, street and store collections and generous donations from friends and family through my Just Giving page.

'I have been training for the big event around Tavistock and across Dartmoor since September and hope to finish the 26.2-mile run around the average time of 4 hours 30 minutes — more than eight hours and I don't receive a medal!

'Now with only nine weeks to go I hope to reach my given target of £1,750.'

Anyone who would like to support Gavin can do so by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/gavinrunslondon2015">www.justgiving.com/gavinrunslondon2015

Readers can also follow Gavin on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube by searching Gavin Runs London 2015.