Syston Ukulele Band and SUDEP
On Sunday 30th June 2024, The Grosvenor Lounge in Syston, together with Syston’s Happy Ukulele Band, hosted a concert to help raise awareness of Epilepsy and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
This event was held in memory of Emily Purday who passed away from unexpected death in epilepsy in 2022.
Len Abraham, leader of Syston’s Happy Ukulele Band, along with over 25 band members provided an afternoon’s entertainment and various songs were sung and strummed, including Urban Spaceman featuring our brass section on kazoo saxophones and a rousing finale of Sweet Caroline accompanied by four of our band members waving big foam hands, which got a great response from the audience who joined in with much enthusiasm!
Neil Purday, Emily’s brother, was invited to speak about the two epilepsy charities, and it was very moving to hear about Emily and the family’s story. Neil and all Emily’s family have made it their mission to raise awareness of these charities that offer support to those living with epilepsy and comfort to those who have lost a loved one to epilepsy. We would like to thank Steph and Matt at The Grosvenor for facilitating this event and to thank everyone who attended and contributed so generously, which resulted in £500 being raised( with gift aid this will result in the total being £625, )This amazing amount raised will be of so much benefit to Epilepsy Society UK and SUDEP.
Our Story
Emily, our baby sister, had suffered from Epilepsy from a young age. There was a time where her fits were frequent and really affected her day to day life, always being something she needed to consider and prepare for. However, as she moved out of her teenage years, changes in her medication seemed to get things under control and Emily went several years without a fit. Emily’s epilepsy was so well managed that she was even able to start driving lessons and pass her test, eventually buying a car that she loved.
In the summer of 2022, Emily started to experience more fits, having a particularly bad one on her 27th Birthday, in August. Emily, as she always did, took this in her stride and started to find ways to try to manage her epilepsy, once again.
Just two months later, on the morning of 6th October 2022, we tragically and unexpectedly lost Emily following another epileptic seizure, this time, one that took place during her sleep. Despite the best efforts of my mum, who did absolutely everything she could to revive her, she was unable to be saved, leaving us all devastated.
Emily’s tragic loss has left us heartbroken and struggling with the massive part of our family that has been taken from us.
However, Emily had an infectious spirit and was loved by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her, so to honour her, we’ve tried to do as much as we can to raise awareness and money for charity, in her memory. Neil Purday and Family.
The Epilepsy Society –
https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/ are a UK based charity who are raising money for people living with Epilepsy. Their fundraising is assisting with research into Epilepsy, raising awareness and providing care.
SUDEP Action – https://www.sudep.org are dedicated to raising awareness of epilepsy risks and tackling epilepsy deaths including Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. They are a UK charity specialised in supporting and involving people bereaved by epilepsy.
Emily’s family are so grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness of these charities and convey their heartfelt thanks to those who attended and to Syston’s Happy Ukulele Band, such is the beauty of human kindness combined with the humble ukulele.
Len Abraham: Leader of Syston’s Happy Ukulele Band.
