A GROUP of family and friends raised more than £1,000 for the UK organisation Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), following the untimely death of a loved one.

Family man Michael Morris was a 47-year-old who had previously been diagnosed with epilepsy – which was constantly being monitored by his GP and controlled by medication.

In January, he passed away – with doctors citing SUDEP as the cause.

SUDEP is when a person with epilepsy dies suddenly and prematurely and no other cause of death is found.

It is not a condition or disease, but rather a useful category to aid research and the monitoring of deaths.

“Although Michael did have epilepsy, he was fit and healthy,” said Michael’s sister, Jennifer Leigh.

“So as you can imagine, when he passed away so suddenly it was a complete shock which devastated the whole family.

“Coupled with the fact that none of the family had ever heard of SUDEP before – we were all devastated.”

Ms Leigh, with family members, began conducting their own research into SUDEP and came across a website called SUDEP Action – an organisation which cares for the bereaved and works with families and professionals to make changes.“They were amazing – they were able to answer all our questions and supported the family through a very sad and difficult time,” she said.

They were so fantastic – family members decided to raise money and awareness for this relatively unknown organisation and cause of death.

Ms Leigh’s nine-year-old daughter Talia Benedek, kick-started the fundraising with a cake sale at Maes-yr bont Primary School.

“My mum helped me bake lots of fairy cakes with purple butterflies on top,” said Talia.

“I sold them at my school and raised £50.”

More than ten family members and friends then completed the riverside walk from Gwaun cae gurwen to Ammanford, which topped up the fund to £1,200.

“We are chuffed to bits with the amount of money we have raised – and would like to thank everybody who has supported us,” said Ms Leigh.

“We are so happy that something positive has come out of something so painful.”

Researchers are still investigating the causes of SUDEP.

But you can find out further information by visiting: www.sudep.org