Hello,

Thank you for visiting James and Sarah's Epilepsy Society fundraising page!

We are both running the 2023 London Marathon on behalf of both our much loved younger brother Charles who passed away in May 2018 at the tender age of 23 and our Dad John who sadly passed away in December 2022. 

We have joined the Epilepsy Society charity team to raise awareness and funds for the great work they do in supporting research and families with epilepsy. 

The Epilepsy Society are the UK's only charity transforming the lives of people with epilepsy through world leading research, advocacy and care.

Our brother Charles was a very active young man who developed a particular love for both sport and music. He enjoyed playing and watching all sports and he was an active member of our local water polo, football and cricket teams. He excelled in swimming, representing Great Britain at the Special Olympics European Summer games in Belgium 2014.

As Charles entered his late teenage years he developed a sudden onset of seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. A holding dose of medication to prevent his seizures was not able to be found and after several years of living with epilepsy, he suffered with Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), passing away overnight in May 2018 which shocked our family to the core. 

Around half a million people in the UK suffer with epilepsy and around 600 people die each year due to SUDEP. Although the percentage of the population who are affected by SUDEP is relatively low, every death due to SUDEP is thought to be potentially avoidable and this is a research priority for the Epilepsy Society. 

Our Dad was thrilled that we had decided to run for the Epilepsy Society. He was a stark supporter of their work, especially around SUDEP research given the impact it had on our family. He was very excited to support us through our training journey and was always interested in how we were progressing. After being admitted to hospital shortly before Christmas, our Dad John very sadly passed away on 29th December 2022. 

Given his support of the society and love of a challenge, we will be running the London Marathon in honour of them both, helping to raise much needed awareness and funds to continue with this vital research.

All support is welcome!