The volunteering work of a Manx woman has been recognised by the British charity ’Epilepsy Action’.

Rosa Drown, who lives in Castletown, received an Epilepsy Action Volunteer Award for promoting awareness of epilepsy in the island.

Together with volunteer Frank Bray, Rosa runs a coffee and chat group that supports people and their carers.

As a trained accredited volunteer, Rosa also is able to deliver awareness presentations to schools, community groups and businesses.

With the support of the coffee and chat group members, she organised and spoke at an event that was attended by members of Tynwald, as well as senior health service staff and key decision makers which laid out the problems that people with epilepsy face, and some possible solutions.

Rosa plans to continue discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care about having an epilepsy specialist nurse.

She also organised an awareness and training event for health workers led epilepsy experts.

Rosa said: ’I am humbled to receive this award and could not have achieved so much without the help and support of others on the Island and Epilepsy Action. I was inspired to volunteer by my own experience, and am proud that I have been able to make a difference for people with epilepsy. I hope to continue my work for many years to come.’

Philip Lee, chief executive at Epilepsy Action, said: ’We’re delighted to acknowledge Rosa’s wonderful work. This award is a fitting and deserved tribute for her efforts and successes. Rosa’s tireless commitment to improving the level of knowledge about epilepsy has made, and continues to make, a huge impact on the lives of people with epilepsy on the Isle of Man.’

Epilepsy affects more than 1,000 people in the Isle of Man according a recent survey carried out by the Department of Health and Social Care. The Manx group of Epilepsy Action is working together with the Manx EPSAiom charity to run promotional events for International Purple Day for Epilepsy on March 26 when the Tower of Refuge in Douglas bay will be lit in purple to mark the day.

Contact Rosa at 823065 or Frank at 316731 for details of Coffee and Chat sessions or Bethany at 481792 for details of EPSAiom.

Further details of Purple Day events will be made public shortly.