December media blog

As journalists started to wind down for the festive season and work their way around various parties, the hard work continued for Epilepsy Action’s press team. We were busy planning and preparing for the January launch of our Epilepsy in England: time for change report, as well as placing media coverage for all our events and activities.

The Daily Mail approached us about the MHRA’s (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) announcement to put a suicide warning on anti-epileptic drug packaging. More information about this warning can be found on our web page. Just click here.

Our trade coverage included Third Sector magazine. They covered the appointment of our new PR manager, Aimee Bowen. The New Law Journal promoted legacies to Epilepsy Action. Genetic Engineering and Biotech News highlighted a Nottingham University research project that Epilepsy Action is involved with about children with long-term conditions not taking their medicines.

We took part in three radio interviews during this month. BCB Radio broadcast an interview about our Bradford 10K event, taking place on 29 March 2009.

Epilepsy Action awarded our 2009 Gold Award for Education to Passmores School in Harlow, Essex. This was for both their pupils’ and teachers’ commitment to support for people with epilepsy in the school. The presentation of the award was covered by The Harlow Herald newspaper and Ten-17 FM even came to the school to record an interview.

Pure Radio broadcast an interview with Nicole, our women’s development officer. During this interview Nicole discussed our Mothers in mind: healthy births campaign and highlighted a meeting about women’s issues at Epilepsy Action’s Stockport branch on 3 December.

There were four pieces of press coverage about our local branches in the Scarborough Evening News, Thurrock Gazette, Tyrone Constitution, and The Sheffield Star.

And finally, it’s great to see that in the midst of the credit crunch so many of you are out there fundraising for us. The Halifax Courier mentioned Alice’s Run, Epilepsy Action’s multi-terrain race in memory of student, Alice Redmond. The Croydon Advertiser highlighted a sponsored walk arranged by Lloyds TSB staff in aid of Epilepsy Action. The St Albans and Harpenden Review highlighted the fundraising efforts of the daughter of one of our Accredited Volunteers. The North Devon Journal covered a fundraising concert and The Wolverhampton Advertiser reported on a carol concert, both in aid of Epilepsy Action.