Artist Rachel brings colour to our 30 for 30 challenge
Trustee Rachel Shah is taking on the 30 for 30 challenge
Rachel Shah has been a trustee at SUDEP Action for around 10 years following her daughter Emily’s death in 2012. Emily was only 19 years old and at university when she passed away from SUDEP. Now Rachel is taking on the 30 for 30 challenge and painting a remarkable 30 paintings which people can purchase and all funds raised will go to SUDEP Action.
Rachel and her family have raised an incredible amount of money for the charity, most notably with the Tuk Tuk to Turkey challenge which she embarked on with her husband Bharat, her daughter Amy and son-in-law James in 2018. The journey saw them travel through 21 countries representing the 21 epilepsy deaths a week that happen in the UK.
Rachel took up painting after Emily’s death and has since seen it as a form of therapy. For her exhibition of 30 paintings she will paint in a variety of styles and sizes to appeal to everyone and will also welcome up to 10 commissions. She paints in both oil or acrylic and enjoys the interplay of colour and light. Rachel said: “Doing something creative for SUDEP Action gives me purpose and I hope that people will find as much joy in my paintings as I do while painting them.”
The challenge will see Rachel selling her paintings around springtime 2026 in an exhibition sale both online and in-person.
She hopes that by taking on the challenge, she will also inspire others to take part. Rachel said: “Every one of the 30 things you’re doing will help someone whose life has been turned upside down by SUDEP.”
The 30 for 30 challenge will take place throughout September and marks our 30th year as a charity dedicated to preventing epilepsy deaths and supporting those bereaved.
Sign up for your own 30 for 30 challenge and learn about why you should get involved here.
For updates on Rachel’s 30 for 30 challenge, find her Instagram page here.
You can also read Emily’s full My Story here.
