Purple haze as King’s Lynn family dye hair to raise awareness of epilepsy

The family of a three-year-old boy with epilepsy have dyed their hair purple to raise awareness of the condition.

Bev Green, her partner Nicky and daughter Rosie, of Lynn, are also hoping to highlight the Daisy Garland charity with their daring new hair.

The colourful trio were inspired to support the charity after Bev’s grandson, Albert Sadler, was diagnosed with epilepsy last year.

He suddenly began to suffer fits in the autumn and has had a total of 14 seizures over a four month period, with the majority happening at night.

Albert could die if he suffers a prolonged night time seizure and has been sleeping for months with his parents Kevin and Vicky.

But the Terrington St Clement youngster has recently been able to move into his own room after the Daisy Garland charity provided a mat which will alert his parents if he suffers a fit.

Albert is now impressed with his Nanny’s colourful new hair-do, which was dyed by Harriet Bates of Images Hairdressers in Blackfriars Street,Lynn.

His mum Vicky said: “He thinks it is wonderful. He was really intrigued to watch Harriet wash off the dye. It was really exciting for him.

“We really wanted to say thank-you to Harriet who did not charge us for this. It was really generous and kind of her. Images also have a charity box in there for the Daisy Garland charity.

“We are not asking for sponsorship. Mum has said that if anyone asks why her hair is purple she can explain the reason behind it.”

The family is hoping to raise awareness of the condition after Albert suffered his first seizure in September, which lasted for eight minutes.

Within weeks he had suffered further seizures. He also has “absences” and up to 50 jerks a day.

Mrs Sadler says medics found an anomaly in a scan of Albert’s brain and is hoping that his condition could be cured with surgery. The family are awaiting the results of further scans.

Albert’s story appeared in last week’s Lynn News.

Mrs Sadler said: “When we were in Images a lady approached me to say she had read the article and gave me a donation as her daughter had suffered epilepsy. She had surgery and was seizure free for three years. That gives us hope.”

If you would like to support the family go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/displaySomeoneSpecialPage.action?pageUrl=bertiebear