Sally Gomersall, Education and Awareness Manager explains why you might like to get involved with commemoration through fundraising.

"Any donation would help us to secure the work of the charity. Please email us if you are interested in making a donation. Ongoing fundraising activities include grant applications and individual commemoration events in memory of a loved one. There are many ways to help us raise funds and raise awareness in your community. Encourage your workplace to support Epilepsy Bereaved as their Charity of the Year. Attend a fundraising event or have one of your own."

Some of you have written to us about how raising funds for the charity allowed a local community to remember the person who died and raise awareness of SUDEP ….

From Mark Bennison in memory of Elizabeth who died aged 13

"Suddenly the gun went off and we were moving. The first 7 to 8 miles went well, spectators cheering everyone along, runners were giving each other encouragement but my lack of training was starting to take its toll. Then Elizabeth reminded me that she was still with me by getting me to notice a placard that was lying in the road. It might have originally been written for someone else but it was left there for me to see. It was facing the right way for me to see and it simply said ‘keep going Mark’. That’s all I needed; whilst both calves may have stiffened and suffered towards the end the fact I was going to finish was now never in doubt.....Your memory of someone you love goes on forever in some fashion or other. An Elizabeth started the Great North Run ball rolling; an Elizabeth (Liz Blair) at SUDEP helped me out with a T-shirt and the memory of my Elizabeth keeps me going and gives me the determination to raise more money for SUDEP."

From Mrs Hannah in memory of Victoria who died aged 16

"The dance show was a great night of entertainment for all the family. Babies right through to mums and dads all danced in various acts such as Aladdin, The Wizard of Oz and The Lion King. There were also special guests who sang songs and made it a memorable night for all. Victoria always loved dancing and it was very hard to sit and watch the show and not see her there. We hope that this money will help your charity and make people aware of this worthy charity. "

From Jacqui and Patrick Short in memory of Joe who died at 20 months

"We planned an auction. The evening was going to be what Joe did best - and that was having fun! So we arranged a live band, disco and buffet, as you would at any normal celebration. This was our way of saying thank you to the friends who had helped us over the previous 17 months. We had also decided to open our private photo album of Joe, and displayed around 40 photographs of him over the 20 months he was alive. Patrick and I wrote a short speech to start off the evening, which sounded a good idea at first, I was determined that I would say a few words and be strong for Joe. When I walked into the door of the club and saw photographs of Joe, I immediately burst into tears, and persuaded Patrick that I was unable to do the speech. So he started it, and after about ten lines, was too moved to carry on. I suppose we gained strength from one another and I then managed to finish it off. We got there in the end! We do feel proud of what we achieved. The important thing to remember is that this event was held in a working men's club in a ‘normal’ town. Our friends are ordinary hard-working people and not lottery winners of aristocracy.”

Please get in touch with Sally Gomersall if you are interested in becoming active within Commemoration. Sally can ensure you get sent a starter pack with ideas on fundraising and raising awareness and can discuss this with you :
Sally.gomersall@ntlworld.com