Our daughter Samantha died 16th July 2009 aged 19 during an epileptic fit which she was only diagnosed with in December 2008. We have since learnt that Samantha died from a condition known as SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.)

Samantha was a happy and caring person everyone loved her smile and enthusiasm in life. She had only ever had eight fits in total but was under the impression, as were we all, that it would never kill her. It wasn’t until after her death that we heard about SUDEP and once the post-mortem was done to clarify that this is what she died from.

Samantha had achieved so much in her life and wasn’t going to allow epilepsy to ruin that. She was getting ready for a holiday with her friend to Tenerife 36 hours after her death. She had also just finished her A levels so she was so excited. We had all just got back from a family holiday which we are all so grateful for as we will cherish them memories forever.

Samantha wasn't here when her A level results came through. She achieved all the grades that she needed to to get into Huddersfield university and study social working. She would have made a fantastic social worker as she has had so many life long experiences. She loved swimming and socialising with her friends. She once swam with dolphins and went scuba diving in Tenerife. She has done so much in her short life but always cared for people.

We will never forget that fatal night of her death as she fell down the last few steps of the staircase whilst having that seizure. Paramedics arrived as soon as and tired to resuscitate for well over an hour. I myself (her mum) heard the thud and went and reassured her through her seizure comforted her and held her as she died. That will always stay in my head its like a living nightmare. We miss her so much and will never stop mourning for her whilst we are alive.

If it wasn’t for epilepsy bereaved we don’t know how we would of got this far. They have been our rock and are there at the other end of the phone when we need to talk. we went to a conference in October to meet other people who have gone though what we are going through and its comforting to know that we are not alone. We desperately need peoples help raising funds for this charity because without it no research will be done to prevent this condition from happening to more and more people but also they would be there to talk to us and help us.

We are going to have to live with this nightmare but if we can help raise funds for this charity in memory of Samantha the we will do everything that we can but we really need your help. So please even if you want to buy her a birthday card or a bunch of flowers when its her birthday think about putting the money into this instead as that’s what Samantha would want.

Samantha has left her brother Adam (16) and little sister Alice (2) with so many memories but so much sadness as well. But as there parents we have to be strong as well as grieve ourselves. Samantha simply was the best daughter, friend and sister.

Epilepsy Bereaved relies heavily on donations, contributions and grants in order to maintain its ongoing work, to support families affected by an epilepsy related death, to raise awareness through education, lobbying and influencing, and to promote research into SUDEP and epilepsy related deaths.

So please dig deep into your pockets and donate money to Epilepsy Bereaved it really helps and could save lives.