EPILEPSY took his life at only 17 - now a party is being held in his memory to help other families going through the same nightmare.

Michael Lumley died suddenly in November. He had suffered from epilepsy since birth.

Now his North Yorkshire relatives are putting on a party in his memory to raise money for Epilepsy Bereaved - a charity which offers help to those who have lost loved ones through the disease.

The event is being organised by Michael's aunt, Christine Dowkes, from Great Edstone near Kirbymoorside.

She paid tribute to a teenager with a big smile who was a "football fanatic" and loved animals.

She said: "He was the one who walked in with a big smile on his face. He always had a big cheek - he was always full of mischief."

advertisement Michael lived in Northumberland. His family were left devastated at his sudden death.

Christine said: "He was born epileptic but he wasn't bad with it, they were thinking about giving him driving lessons.

"(It happened) when he was at home. Paramedics arrived, his heart was still beating, but he just stopped breathing.

"We were absolutely gutted. None of us knew how to carry on. Somebody so young like that, even now we can't believe it's happened."

Christine is putting on the party at Sevenoaks Farm, in Great Edstone, on July 29.

There will be an auction of promises at 2pm, with prizes including a trip round the House of Commons, a helicopter ride and a meal for two at the Star Inn at Harome.

There will also be a raffle, barbeque and disco. For tickets, which cost £15, write to Christine at Sevenoaks Farm, Great Edstone, near Kirbymoorside, YO62 6PB, or phone 01751 431836.

Epilepsy Bereaved is a voluntary organisation which is concerned with sudden deaths from the disease.

It was founded in 1993 as a self-help group, and became a charity in 1995 to raise awareness about the issue of people dying from epilepsy. The charity aims to support families affected by sudden epilepsy deaths, raise awareness and promote research.

It is advised by a panel of experts and specialist pathologists, and provides opportunities for bereaved families to meet as well as free information about deaths from epilepsy.