SUDEP Action

Making every epilepsy death count
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Fundraising evening in memory of Ellis Powell

 

Sharon Cole has raised a further £5,500 for SUDEP Action through a fundraising event held in memory of her daughter Ellis Powell.  Ellis died from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) in January 2013 at the age of 21.  Since then, her family and friends have organised various fundraising and awareness events in aid of SUDEP Action.  SUDEP Action is the only charity in the UK that works solely to prevent unnecessary epilepsy deaths including SUDEP.    

Sharon’s fundraising and awareness raising event was attended by more than 200 people.  The evening event was held at the Maidstone Rugby Club on 4 October 2013.   The event included live music by a band called the Choose, a raffle, and an auction.  

Speaking about the event Sharon says:  “My fundraising event in memory of my beautiful daughter was a very special evening supported by our friends, Ellis friends and our families.  Being able to fundraise makes me feel that I am keeping Ellis’s memory alive and it’s so important to me to try and make a difference to other parents/families, and to help in the research that one day us as grieving families may start to understand why our loved ones are taken from us all so early in their lives."

"Losing a child is so unbearable, SUDEP Action have helped to support me and have given me strength and for that I am grateful  from very early on after losing Ellis speaking with Tracey, I have never felt I’m on my own.”

Tracy Cowdry, SUDEP Action Bereavement Support Worker commented: “The support line can be particularly helpful before or after a fundraising event and I feel it is important that we offer this service.  I am grateful for the positive feedback from Sharon; it is always nice to know that you are appreciated. Some would say it is all part of my job, but to me it’s more than that, each person I speak to helps me to understand a little more, which in turn helps me to help others.”