On Sunday the 2nd of October 2022, I will be running the London Marathon for Epilepsy Action in honour of my very special childhood friend, Joe Bertram. In July 2017 we lost Joe to SUDEP - Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. We were both 19. I didn’t know such a thing existed. 

Joe and I had grown up together, from joining Poppy nursery class to revising for our A-Levels together in our local library, we willed each other on to succeed. We had just finished our first year at university when epilepsy suddenly took Joe. It was devastating. Joe lived life to the full, always having time to ask after other people, putting a beaming smile on anyone's face, everyone's best friend and a permanent presence in my life…but with epilepsy always in his shadow. Joe’s passing has left a huge hole in my life.

Epilepsy can affect anyone of any age, gender, race or ethnicity and is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world. Almost 1 in 100 people in the UK have epilepsy. But when I ask around a room of friends and family, there is a shocking lack of basic knowledge, awareness and understanding of the condition. Epilepsy Action is committed to supporting those suffering from or impacted by epilepsy. It strives for wider awareness and understanding of the condition and for a much needed improvement in the quality and availability of healthcare services and support for those with epilepsy. 

So I am going to run - or ‘jog’ - the marathon for Joe, to raise money for research into epilepsy and SUDEP and to hopefully raise awareness amongst young people to help normalise epilepsy as a condition, so it’s never something to be ashamed of or shy about.

Any donation, no matter how big or small, will be greatly appreciated. Please support my Jog 4 Joe in any way you can.