Thanks go out on behalf of epilepsy sufferer Poppy

A GRANDMOTHER has thanked well-wishers and a local housing firm for donating to charity in aid of her granddaughter, who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy.

Sandra Shepard received donations from her local community of Thurcroft and from local property development company Barratt Homes.

The donations will go to Dravet Syndrome UK, a charity that helps families cope with life-limiting epilepsy, in honour of Sandra’s granddaughter, Poppy (4), who was diagnosed with the serious condition last year.

Sandra said: “Dravet Syndrome can be difficult to live with for all involved, so I'm very happy to continue raising money for Dravet Syndrome UK.”

Sandra started raising money in June 2014, shortly after Poppy was diagnosed.

She has raised £6,546 for the charity through a calendar, a masquerade ball and donations from the local community, including the most recent donation of £250 from local housing development company Barratt Homes.

Nicki Jefferson, sales manager for Barratt Homes The Hedgerows development, which is near Thurcroft, said: “Sandra and her family are so passionate about raising money for Dravet Syndrome UK that it was an easy choice for us to donate to the charity.

“Poppy is a wonderful little girl living with a life-limiting condition so we are very happy to have donated £250 to help families like hers.”

Sandra said: "I'm very grateful to the local community at Thurcroft for all they've done in raising money for a charity so close to my family's heart, and to Barratt Homes for its recent donation.”

Sandra will take part in a sponsored skydive to raise money for Dravet Syndrome UK on September 5.

You can sponsor her on her JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/Sandra-Shepard.