This September I'll be stepping up my fundraising by taking part in an MMA Fight to raise awareness for Epilepsy research UK, as I feel not enough people are aware of the illnesses many forms and the serious life changing effects it can have.

I'm doing this in memory of my beautiful Mum, who we sadly lost in November 2016 from the illness. My mum had lived with epilepsy since she was 17, but still managed to live a completely normal life; worked hard, was extremely clever, went on nights out on the town as a young woman, married my Dad and raised three children - we went on holidays multiple times a year, took us on day trips... the list goes on, nothing was any different for my Mum or those around her.

My mum was a very private person, so nobody other than family members or close friends of my Mum knew she had epilepsy.  Throughout our life starting as young children we were taught what to do if my Mum was to have a seizure - since the age of 2, my older brother had learned how to call my Grandad for help and come over as my Mum had colour coded the phone on each number, my Dad worked away sometimes so it was important we knew what to do in emergencies. As we grew older we were taught how to cope on our own if Mum had a seizure - my older brother would do most of it whilst me and my sister would set up pillows on the sofa for us to help her rest once she had came around. The hardest part, was when she did and often for the first few minutes she did not remember who I was... ever had your mum not recognise you? 

I don't know what was the worst part, but each time she kept on fighting through and getting on with everyday like it never happened. She was the most amazing and strong woman I knew, who helped me become the man i am today. I have so many regrets, so many words left unsaid, so many things she will never get to see of me; my first home, my first child someday, who knows maybe even my first wife! She was always so proud and she made me feel like I could achieve anything, no matter what I did I could turn to her for advice. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing she is looking down on me and I will fight everyday to succeed and to be the best man I can be, to make her just as proud!  

So that's just some parts of my mums life living with epilepsy that I wanted to share with you, to make you all aware of how many people out there are in my mums position - with or without children suffering with epilepsy, of which can be helped or cured so people don't lose them like we've lost our Mum, Wife, Nanna, Daughter, Sister and Auntie 💔 

Please donate to Epilepsy Research UK . If it only helps a handful of people it's a start ! 💪🏻

However big or small every donation counts!!! 

Epilepsy Research UK is the only charity exclusively dedicated to driving and enabling life changing, life saving research in the UK. Our pioneering funded research is currently being carried out in over 40 universities and hospitals throughout the country. The projects we fund are of the highest scientific merit and aim to provide help for today and hope for tomorrow. A life free from epilepsy is possible. The only way to achieve this is through research.