I’m dusting off my running shoes to raise money for the Epilepsy Society — specifically the Amelia Roberts Fund — by running the Royal Parks Half Marathon this October.

For those who don’t know, my wife’s sister Amelia tragically died at home on 20th December 2018 from a clonic tonic seizure. She was just 21. She was found by Lily and Kitty.

I am in awe that Lils and my in laws can still manage to find joy in life having experienced something so dark. It is something no parent or sister should ever have to go through and it would have been easy and understandable to be angry, resentful, or negative to the world. I certainly felt that way after losing my best friend Toby in 2019. But that is just not the Robertses.

They have raised over half a million pounds in her honour, and they continue to talk about her, and the disease that tragically took her life, to anyone who will listen (including most recently at the House of Commons). They're bloody amazing.

Like most people, I used to think epilepsy meant having an aversion to flashing lights. I didn’t know it could be fatal.

Epilepsy affects 1 in 100 people in the UK. That’s 633,000 people. You almost certainly know someone with it. I know five. Every year, it claims around 1,000 lives — many of them young, otherwise healthy individuals. The effect on those diagnosed, and their families, can’t be overstated. A diagnosis, whilst a short lived relief, can mean losing your driver’s licence, your independence, your confidence to go out and socialise in fear of having a seizure. It’s a daily burden that many carry in silence. Amelia was drug resistant, as are 1 in 3 who are diagnosed with epilepsy.

Thankfully, the Epilepsy Society is making real progress. Through pioneering research — including work funded by the Amelia Roberts Fund (did I mention over £500k raised already!!) — they’re researching the genetic reasons for drug resistance and developing better ways to match treatments to individuals, as well as uncovering more about the causes of SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), so that fewer families have to go through what my in laws have.

It’s high time I get on the other side of the barrier and raise some money myself. That said, it’s been about six years since I ran anywhere near this distance so I make no promises of a decent time. Based on how my first few runs back have gone, my Strava will be VERY private. I just know for a fact how important this money is, so please do consider donating to this wonderful cause and make sure Amelia’s fund continues to raise money for GAME CHANGING research.

If you aren’t able to donate, please go and look at the Epilepsy Society website and learn more.

Thank you x