Killinchy man Peter in 83km run to appeal for improved epilepsy care

Killinchy man Peter in 83km run to appeal for improved epilepsy care

27 August 2025

KILLINCHY man Peter Gilmore pushed through the pain recently to complete an 83km run to highlight the need for improved epilepsy care. 

The 25 year-old suffers from the condition, but was inspired to take on the challenge when he learnt that one in 83 people in Northern Ireland also have epilepsy, making it the most prevalent region in the UK for the condition.

Peter completed the run in a gruelling 10 hours and 50 minutes with the support of family members and friends – and a few T-shirt changes along the way.

Afterwards he admitted it took his body to the limit, but he was determined to get across the line. 

“Throughout the run I was definitely in a lot of pain, but thinking of all the others like me who could benefit from improved healthcare spurred me on,” he said.

“The support I’ve had has been beyond my wildest dreams and the vast number of people who came down to support on the day is reflective of how keen people are to see better public epileptic care in Northern Ireland.”

The following Department of Health statistics reveal that Northern Ireland has the worst neurological care in the UK:

Twenty-three per cent of patients presenting to emergency departments with a neurological condition in Northern Ireland are admitted to a hospital without a dedicated neurology service. This is five times more common than for patients in England

Over 11,000 people with neurological conditions have been waiting for a first outpatient appointment for more than a year

The neurology nursing workforce must be expanded by 43 per cent

The number of Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) neurological consultants should be expanded from 25 to 45.

Commenting on these statistics, Peter said: “It’s unacceptable how we have the highest prevalence of epilepsy yet the worst care for the condition. You don’t have to be a healthcare professional to work that out. 

“I have broken bones as a result of my condition and woken up on the floor bleeding countless times from seizures. As a result, I’ve been forced to seek private healthcare because it’s genuinely dangerous to rely on these waiting times.” 

Over recent months, Peter has worked hard to spread awareness about these issues via social media, as well as encouraging people to write to their local MLAs to lobby for change at an institutional level. 

Peter’s online campaign videos have received over 40,000 views and he recently secured a meeting with Alliance MLA Nick Mathison.

“Speaking to Nick was fantastic,” Peter said. “He listened to my concerns and has agreed to take them forward to the Health Minister. His care for his constituents was clear to see and I can’t thank him enough.”

Peter was critical of remarks made by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, who said it would be “highly challenging” to find additional funding for neurological care in Northern Ireland.

“As Northern Ireland falls so far behind the rest of the UK, it is quite frankly embarrassing that he is prepared to say this,” Peter said.

“The gulf between us and other nations needs to be addressed before the situation gets out of hand.”

Peter believes this run is just the start for him and his campaign. The next step is for other parties to listen to his concerns and lobby hard for institutional change to the neurological care in Northern Ireland. 

There is a long way to go for Northern Ireland to reach par in this area, but Peter is in it for the long haul and is 100% committed to making a positive difference.