“The more people who get involved, the louder our voice becomes”
Natalie takes on a sponsored paraglide in memory of her sister Kathryn
Natalie Treadwell is challenging herself by doing a sponsored paraglide on the 19th September. She is taking part in memory of her sister Kathryn whom she lost 20 years ago this year to SUDEP.
For the past couple of years, Natalie has been wanting a challenge to raise awareness and funds for SUDEP Action. She said: “I said yes before I even looked up what paragliding involved. But once I did, I knew it was exactly the kind of challenge I wanted to take on.
It feels like a fitting way to honour Kathryn’s memory, celebrate her life, and help raise awareness so that other families might be spared the heartbreak that ours has experienced.”
Kathryn was known for her warmth and kindness but to Natalie she was her baby sister. Natalie said: “She was a shining light in every sense of the word. Her smile and laughter were infectious and could brighten even the darkest of days. She was adventurous, compassionate, intelligent, and incredibly modest. She had so much life ahead of her and so much more love, laughter, and light to share with the world. We miss her every day.”
Natalie and her family strongly believe in SUDEP Action’s mission. She said: “There is still far too little awareness and understanding of SUDEP, both within the public and, in many cases, within healthcare settings. Families deserve access to clear information and honest conversations about the risks associated with epilepsy.
We chose to support SUDEP Action because they have been there for families like ours, offering support, understanding, and a voice during the most difficult times.
If greater awareness and education can help prevent even one family from experiencing the devastating loss that we have, then it is a cause worth fighting for. That is why raising awareness is so important to me, and why supporting SUDEP Action means so much.”
For Natalie, taking on a sponsored event isn’t just about raising funds but also about raising awareness. She said: “Whether you take on a paraglide, a run, a walk, or any other challenge, every fundraising event makes a difference. The money raised helps SUDEP Action continue their vital work, but just as importantly, it helps start conversations and raise awareness about SUDEP.
The more people who get involved, the louder our collective voice becomes. Together, we can help educate others, support families affected by SUDEP, and work towards preventing future tragedies. Taking part is not only a challenge for yourself, it’s an opportunity to make a real difference.
I’m taking this leap for Kathryn. Twenty years on, her light still shines brightly in our family, and if sharing her story helps just one person or one family, then every moment of this challenge will be worth it.”
To support Natalie and her paragliding challenge, visit her JustGiving page here.
You can also read Kathryn’s My Story here.
