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  1 in 104 people are affected with epilepsy in the UK* and over 50 million worldwide. It is one of the most common serious neurological conditions with approximately 30 different epilepsy syndromes and over 38 different types of seizure. The majority of cases of epilepsy can be treated successfully with modern anti-epileptic drugs (AED’s) used either as single agents or in combination. However, approximately 30% of cases are classed as having drugresistant or intractable epilepsy, where seizures persist despite the appropriate use of two or more AED’s and the possibility of achieving seizure freedom with additional medication is extremely low. 

* JEC (Joint Epilepsy Council) 2011 statistics 

Together we can make a positive  impact in many people’s life who are affected with epilepsy in our community.

  Matthew Williams (24) suffers with a catastrophic form of epilepsy called ‘Dravet Syndrome’ and his seizures started when he was 9 months old. Emma, his mother, asked if Matthew could try the Ketogenic Diet when he was 2 years old, but she was told the diet didn’t work. So she battled on, trying innumerable medications which didn’t help Matthews’ seizures and which caused devastating side effects. Six years later, Professor Helen Cross began a research trial of the Ketogenic Diet at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Matthew and 144 other children with severe epilepsy were enrolled on the trial. Within 2 weeks of starting the diet Matthew’s seizures had reduced by 90% and within 8 months he was weaned off all medication. Sadly for Matthew, the damage had been done. Years of seizures had caused terrible brain damage, his family had broken apart and Emma was now a single mum to Matthew and his younger sister Alice. Inspired by Matthew, she set up Matthew’s Friends in 2004 to provide information, education, training, support and resources for other families wanting to use ketogenic therapies. In 2013 Emma was honoured with an MBE from HM the Queen for services to children with epilepsy  

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