RELATIVES of a young woman who died following an epileptic seizure are raising money in her memory.

Katy Doyle, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, died aged 24, through SUDEP, Sudden Unexpected Death through Epilepsy, in December 2008.

Her family has so far raised over £136,000 for charity to help other sufferers.

Katy’s father, Ian Doyle, 61, said: “Epilepsy is thought to cause almost 1,000 deaths annually, often in teenagers and young adults.

“Katy was only diagnosed 18 months before she died, and since then we have been fundraising in her memory to raise awareness, and support the excellent work of the charity Epilepsy Action.

“Some of the money we have raised has helped fund two epilepsy specialist nurses here in the North-East.

“These roles are critical in supporting people diagnosed with epilepsy live their lives as safely and as ‘normal as possible’.

The family is now being joined in their fundraising by Katy’s nine-year-old second cousin, Sophie Stephenson, from Belmont, in Durham.

The Belmont Primary School pupil has pledged to raised £1,000 herself in a year under the family’s Celebrating Katy banner.

Mr Doyle, a retired bank manager, said: “Sophie was only very young when we lost Katy, but she has always been very aware of her story.

“For my wife Helen and I, as Katy's mum and dad, we are totally overwhelmed by Sophie's desire to raise this £1,000 in her memory.”

Sophie organised an ‘open house’ event in December selling handmade Christmas crafts, has held a school assembly, a tombola and a sponsored ten mile bike ride, with her dad, Ed, who was Katy’s full cousin.

The 40-year-old musician said: “She has taken this on herself and I am very proud of her.

“It means a lot that she is keeping my cousin Katy’s memory alive.”

Sophie’s future events include more tombola and a film and popcorn evening and she has already raised almost £900.

She said: “She was part of my family and I like to raise money for people because I like to help people.

“My teacher’s son has epilepsy so it is good to know I am helping someone else that I know as well.”

To support Sophie log on to www.epilepsy.org.uk, and follow the link to ‘donate’, mentioning it is for Sophie’s Fundraising.