Barry Ahearn, 44, has just completed his monumental challenge of running twenty-seven half-marathons in memory of his sister, Abbie. Abbie passed away in 2023 after she went into cardiac arrest during an epileptic seizure. She had only been diagnosed with the condition six weeks earlier. Barry decided to raise funds for Epilepsy Action to ensure his sister’s memory lives on. He tells his story below:
“Abbie was kind compassionate, attentive and loyal. She was so much fun to be around, always making jokes and playing pranks. She brightened any room she walked into with her smile and is sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved her.”
“She had her first seizure in early 2023, and of course went to the hospital to get checked out. They checked her heart with an ECG, but ultimately she was sent home. In July, she had another seizure, and at the end of this month, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. It was only six weeks later that we lost Abbie.
“Abbie had a seizure which was so severe it sent her into cardiac arrest. Despite the best efforts of the paramedics, doctors, nurses, Abbie passed away three days later. She was only three months away from her 30th birthday.
“Losing my sister has been the worst experience of my life. Every day since losing Abbie I have been in emotional pain. So I thought, why not turn that into physical. That’s why I decided to do this challenge.
“I want her passing to mean something, to help make a difference, not only by raising money to go towards research, but also to raise awareness of how serious this condition is.
“I chose to do 27 half-marathons because this represents the amount of time Abbie’s brain was without oxygen, whilst paramedics tried to revive her.
Around 1,000 people die from epilepsy-related causes each year, which is about three people every day. Barry wanted to take on this challenge to make sure that Abbie is not just ‘one of the three’.
“Over the past year, I have completed 27 half-marathons including London Bridges Half, Carsington Water and even at my local park where I had to run up and down the path 55 times to reach 21km! Some have been at organised events, others have been solo runs. In that time, I’ve been joined by friends and family who’ve ran with me and helped to raise funds.
“It’s of course been tough at times. Physically, the runs obviously took a toll on my legs. Although this was mainly because I was attempting to fit my runs in around my busy social schedule. Runs eight to fifteen were done within nine weeks, but five had to be done within twelve days as I had to finish before a weekend wedding!
“The solo runs were the toughest emotionally, as it can be hard to stay focussed and motivated, and of course sometimes I was thinking about Abbie, which adds to the emotions. Luckily, I have had such amazing support from my friends and family throughout the events I have run, no matter the weather. Seeing my family, best friends and their kids cheering me on with banners has been very special.
As part of his challenge, Barry did a run around meaningful places to Abbie, including her local pub, her primary and secondary schools, the hospital she was born at and the house they grew up in.
“Of course, my biggest supporter is my wife, Naomi. She has been at every running event, cheering me on, videoing me, organising other spectators and has even run parts of them with me, including the full final half-marathon.
“On the final run at the Battersea Park Half I was joined by 40 other runners to support me, and around 150 people were there to spectate and cheer us on. It was a day of completely mixed emotions, but I am so happy with how it went. The support received was incredible and I am so proud of the entire team who took part. There were tears before, during and after and I know that they really pushed themselves to complete the run.
“I am extremely proud of my wife for taking part and I even had the privilege of being able to rejoin the race and cross the finish line with her. It was a very special moment.
“When I set myself this challenge, I hoped to raise awareness about epilepsy, along with some money to support Epilepsy Action. Whilst it’s not possible to measure the impact that this has had or will have, whether it’ll save at least one life, I think the chances are now slightly higher, having done this. The story has been spread much further than I could have hoped for and having raised nearly £22,000 across the team, I can only consider this a success.”
Barry’s friends and family running the final half marathon with him (left) and Barry with his mum and wife Naomi (right)
Epilepsy Action Director of Fundraising, Philippa Cartwright, says “All of us at the charity are in complete awe of Barry’s incredible fundraiser. His determination and resilience is so inspiring and the money raised in Abbie’s memory will help so many people with epilepsy.
“Barry and his friends have raised almost £22,000 for Epilepsy Action, which will go towards supporting our amazing services including Talk & Support groups, one-to-one befriending, and our helpline. Just £108 can recruit and train a new befriending volunteer, and £768 can fund the helpline for an entire day, showing the difference Barry’s donations will make.
“Epilepsy Action would like to say a big thank you to Barry, his friends and supporters for this incredible effort, and we are sure his sister Abbie would be so proud.”
Donations can be made to Barry’s JustGiving here Barry Ahearn is fundraising for Epilepsy Action.