Coffee Morning Fundraiser

In aid of Epilepsy Research UK

In October 2022 Sarah, our friend and valued member of the MIDAS team, was admitted into critical care with ongoing seizures, later diagnosed as a rare case of NORSE Syndrome (New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus). This came without warning as Sarah was fit and healthy, and the condition meant she had to be placed in an induced coma for five weeks.

Thankfully, the seizures have subsided and Sarah is now conscious again, although facing a long and challenging recovery.

Sarah

The group of course wanted to do something to support Sarah and her family during this very difficult time. Given how little is known about NORSE, we decided to do something to raise both awareness and funds for research into the condition, starting with this Coffee Morning in support of Epilepsy Research UK, which was held on Tuesday 6th December in the Royce Hub Building.

The event was a real team effort and group members baked up a storm, with over 30 superb homemade sweet and savoury bakes on offer. These all went down very well with attendees, and nearly everything was gone by the end of the event!  While Sarah was not yet able to attend, her dad did come along, and both Sarah and her hospital roommate got to enjoy some of the cake later in the day 😊

Everyone one donated generously both at the event and via our JustGiving page. We are absolutely delighted to say that we raised £1,191 for Epilepsy Research UK!  This will fund work on NORSE at multiple facilities across the UK including UCL, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Aston University.

Our contact at the charity has fed back that this is a “phenomenal” amount to have raised, and said “Thank you all SO much for your brilliant efforts and for supporting vital research into NORSE and FIRES – we truly are so grateful.”

Thank-you to everyone who supported, attended, baked, and ate.  Your participation and contributions have meant a great deal to us, to Epilepsy Research UK, and to Sarah and her family and friends.