Young boy, smiling in hospital with electrodes stuck to his head for an EEG.

Help a child in crisis this Christmas

Every pound you donated last Christmas was doubled.

Donate today

You can help a child newly diagnosed with epilepsy.

Epilepsy is frightening and your world falls apart. Families desperately need support.   

"I was in a constant state of anxiety. Seeing my 3 year old boy have a seizure was terrifying and changed our lives forever.

Please help families like mine at a time of crisis. We need information. We need support. We need hope."

- Jo, parent of children with epilepsy

Thumbnail for Young Epilepsy Christmas Appeal Film - Two boys in hospital with Christmas Appeal messaging.
Watch Jo in this short video. She bravely shares more about her children’s epilepsy diagnosis.

Donate today

Every pound you donated last Christmas was matched by a Young Epilepsy supporter. That was double the impact. 

Families desperately need support following a diagnosis of epilepsy   

When a child is diagnosed with epilepsy, everything changes. Their world falls apart. Families feel frightened, lonely and overwhelmed.    

For Jo’s family, it began when her son Rafferty was diagnosed at just three years old.  

"We were blue lighted to hospital. I was convinced Rafferty was going to die. To this day seizures fill me with fear.

We felt lost when we got an epilepsy diagnosis. You are told a huge, life-changing diagnosis. Then you’re left to your own devices.

It’s scary and it’s lonely."

- Jo, Rafferty's mum

How your donation can help

How your donation can help

Donate £75 and we’ll get £150

This could provide five online group sessions, helping young people to understand their epilepsy and connect with others living with the condition.

Nearly every hour in the UK, another young life is thrown into crisis 

Every time another child or young person is diagnosed with epilepsy, their life is turned upside down. Yet too often, families are left to navigate this life-changing diagnosis alone.  

Families feel frightened, lonely and overwhelmed following an epilepsy diagnosis. Knowing they have a long-term health condition causes emotional turmoil that no child should have to face alone. Often families cannot access the support they need at this crucial time. They need help. They need information. They need hope.  

Young boy standing in hospital corridor with EEG electrodes on his head

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You can help a child and their family get the urgent support they need at a time of crisis. 

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You can help families like Jo’s at a time of crisis 

Seven months after Rafferty’s diagnosis, Jo’s older son, Fin experienced a similar seizure. The shock was devastating. 

"It totally floored me.  I was so panicked. I had such vivid images of Rafferty’s first seizure. 

I felt like we were just kind of getting our heads around things and accepting Rafferty’s diagnosis. And then this was happening, it felt like all over again."

- Jo, parent of children with epilepsy

No family alone after diagnosis   

"Epilepsy has a significant effect on day-to-day life. As a parent, you want to fix that but it’s not in our power to fix it. It leaves you feeling so helpless.   

I was in a constant state of panic. I couldn’t go out. I desperately wanted to help my children to have the same experiences as everyone else. But we didn’t get any support. We felt completely lost until we found Young Epilepsy."    

- Jo, parent of children with epilepsy

"Medication hasn’t worked for Fin. Thankfully Rafferty’s epilepsy is managed quite well but the side effects that come from such strong medication can be even more impactful than the seizures themselves."

Two years into diagnosis, Jo is still trying to work out the best way to manage the boys’ epilepsy.

“Young Epilepsy gave us clear information and real support. We finally felt informed and empowered.”

Young Epilepsy provides expert information, emotional support, and a community that understands.