The parents of a young woman who drowned after having an epileptic fit have launched an bid to raise £1m in her name.
Carla Rankin, 27, died at home in Prestbury in August last year.
An inquest concluded that her death was a tragic accident.
Now her brave parents Denise and Ian have pledged to raise £1m for the charity Epilepsy Action to help others suffering from the condition.
Denise said: “We lost Carla very suddenly and for us fundraising to help others living with or supporting people with this condition seems incredibly valuable. It’s a positive action that we know Carla would fully support.
“We decided to set a big target and we will hopefully manage to raise some or all of it.”
Since Carla’s death family and friends all over the country, including Leeds where she went to university, and London, where she managed a restaurant, have taken on a variety of fundraising challenges collecting more than £10,000 in her name. Denise said: “These events reflect the sheer range, diversity, love and support we have received from so many people. Some of them are complete strangers who also have children they are caring for with epilepsy. It also shows how much Carla meant to so many people. She is sorely missed but if we can help others that would be brilliant.”
In the latest fundraiser Denise and Ian and a team of 23 others were at it again on Sunday when they ran the Manchester 10km in fancy dress.
Carla’s dad Ian added: “Even though we’d have done anything to take Carla’s condition away from her, she never let epilepsy spoil her life or prevent her from doing what she wanted to do. Carla was an active member of Epilepsy Action and she would like the fact that her death might raise money for a charity for which she had a lot of time.”
Michael White, from Epilepsy Action, said the fundraising would improve epilepsy services and raise awareness of the condition.
He said: “Epilepsy Action is hugely grateful for the Rankins’ support – their fundraising ambitions and achievements are fantastic. To see them so galvanised and raising so much already in just over eight months, so soon after losing Carla, is really inspiring. The money they raise is vital in helping us support the 600,000 people living with epilepsy.” Visit www.justgiving.com/ian-rankin1
