TWO West Fife women will don their walking boots to raise funds for their epilepsy support group.

Barbara McLean, from Newmills, and Suzanne Simpson, from Dunfermline, will join Quarriers' epilepsy community outreach worker Leanne Hynes to walk across the Forth Road Bridge and back twice today (Friday).

Their efforts will raise vital funds – as well as awareness – for epilepsy support group which the two women attend every month in Dunfermline's City Hotel.

Money raised will go towards paying for refreshments at the monthly meeting and funding a Christmas lunch and, hopefully, next year’s summer outing.

Leanne agreed to the six-mile walk despite a fear of heights.

“Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in the UK and yet people know very little about it," she explained.

"People think a person has a seizure, gets up and carries on, when it can affect a person in every single aspect of their life before and after a seizure.

"Having epilepsy quite often affects a person’s self-esteem and confidence and the support group offers a safe place to go where everyone 'gets it'.

"Before being offered this role, I was very unaware of the impact epilepsy can have. My eyes have been opened and I strive to help support people in the best way I can when sometimes they feel they have no voice.

"I offer support with benefits applications, housing, education and employment support, ensuring their homes are safe for them to keep living independently, and provide training to organisations, businesses and families on epilepsy awareness and administration of emergency medication.

"We also provide support for foodbank referrals as people living with epilepsy often struggle financially due to the system not understanding the condition."

Anyone wanting to help with fundraising can visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barbara-mclean3.