WHEN tragedy hit the Burns family with the death of their son, Charlie, it left them utterly devastated. Charlie was only tenyears- old when he died from what is now recognised as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).

Some families might have given up but, for the Burns, of Larkhill, it was the beginning of a journey which has seen them raise £43,000 and achieve outstanding success in raising the profile of the charity set up to encourage research and awareness of SUDEP.

Now their dedication and hard work has been recognised by Devizes MP Claire Perry.

Mrs Perry has nominated the entire family, Charlie’s parents Barrie and Jan and his sister Izzie, for the Salisbury Journal and Spire FM Local Heroes Fundraiser of the Year Award.

The MP said: “Since this terrible personal tragedy, the Burns family has selflessly campaigned to help make other families aware that SUDEP exists and that it kills more young people than cot death and AIDS in the UK every year.

“In the face of such personal grief the Burns’s have worked tirelessly to raise money to help prevent other families from suffering as they have.

“I would be delighted if their loving commitment to Charlie’s legacy and selfless desire to help other families was formally recognised.”