More than £7,000 has been raised for Epilepsy Action by the family and friends of a Stockton-on-Tees man who sadly died following a seizure at the age of 22.
Following David Kilcullen’s death in April 2007, his best friend Adam Parkinson, the Kilcullen family and David’s friends held a variety of fundraising events in his memory.
Christine Kilcullen, David’s mum, and friends recently presented a cheque for £7,385 to Philip Lee, the chief executive of the UK’s largest member-led epilepsy organisation.
Philip Lee said: “Epilepsy Action would like to say a huge thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in making all the events such a success. Special thanks to Adam Parkinson, and Christine and Robert Kilcullen, whose fundraising efforts have been immense throughout 2007.”
The fundraising events ranged from an auction evening , where over 4,000 raffle tickets were sold for prizes kindly donated by local businesses, to a head shave, resulting in Christine sporting a new look. David’s brother Matthew raised £500 from his fellow company members in the Coldstream Guards.
Christine Kilcullen said: “Although the reason we have raised funds for Epilepsy Action was tinged with sadness, we have been overwhelmed by how many local friends, family and businesses have supported us. We are so grateful.”
Adam added: “It still amazes me how daring Christine was in getting her head shaved!”
The money raised will help fund vital information services provided by Epilepsy Action. The charity now directly helps more than 660,000 people every year. For more information, please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk