A Pudsey mum is running Epilepsy Action’s Bradford 10k in memory of her daughter Edie, who passed away from a rare epilepsy syndrome in 2015.
Cheryl Murphy, 40, is running with friends as part of ‘Edie’s flyers’ to mark the tenth anniversary of Edie’s tragic death, aged just two and a half years old.
Cheryl has run Bradford 10K several times before and says running has helped her cope with her loss.
“We have always loved running in Edie’s memory, completing 10Ks but also half marathons and marathons too,” she said. “I have done Epilepsy Action’s Bradford 10K and really enjoyed it. It’s local and very well supported.
“Edie was everything a toddler should be – full of fun, cheekiness, happiness and love. She hadn’t been diagnosed with epilepsy when she died, but she had had a seizure that was thought to be a febrile convulsion. When she had her second seizure, we thought this was another febrile convulsion. Sadly, we now know this wasn’t the case.
“Edie was admitted to hospital and spent six days on life support following this severe seizure, and sadly passed away on 16 October 2015. She was treated by the most amazing doctors and nurses during that time, and they found out that she had Hemiconvulsion Hemiplegia Epilepsy syndrome (HHE).”
HHE is an epilepsy syndrome that starts in children under four years of age, that can develop after seizures during a febrile illness.
“Until Edie’s passing, we didn’t know there was a possibility she had epilepsy,” Cheryl added. “We had never heard of HHE before. It’s taken us nearly 10 years to be brave enough to learn more about it. We still want answers.
“I’m taking part in this year’s Bradford 10K in Edie’s memory and to raise awareness of HHE. The race has such a friendly atmosphere and is really well-supported, with lots of people coming together for such an amazing cause. It’s one of the best in terms of organisation too!
“I’m running with some of our amazing friends who, since Edie passed, have helped us to do lots of things in her memory and have always been there to support us. She may have been small, but she left a huge impact on us all and is loved and missed every day.”
Louise McCormick, Bradford 10K Race Director, said the funds raised will ensure vital resources are available including talk ands support groups, the award-winning helpline, and one-to-one befriending service.
Louise said: “Stories like Edie’s are such a big part of what makes Epilepsy Action’s Bradford 10K so memorable.
“So many people are running for someone; friends, family members, someone they’ve lost, or for themselves – it’s a reminder of how epilepsy really affects everyone involved.
“Whether running for a PB, or it’s your first 10K, everyone is welcome to run. Sign ups close really soon, so it’s the final chance to be part of this special event.”
Epilepsy affects around 51,000 people in Yorkshire and around 80 people are diagnosed in the UK every day. Epilepsy Action is committed to improving the lives of people with epilepsy, by campaigning for better services and raising awareness of the condition. They provide a national network of support groups, with expert advice available on its freephone helpline 0808 800 5050 or online via epilepsy.org.uk.
Epilepsy Action’s Bradford 10K, is the city’s most iconic road race and is back on June 1. To sign up visit the website. Entries close Sunday, 25 May, and runners can email bradford10k@epilepsy.org.uk for any general queries or help.
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