Epilepsy champion Alec Hodgson honoured for work (From Dorset Echo)

Epilepsy champion Alec Hodgson honoured for work

5:00pm Saturday 9th February 2013 in News By Samantha Harman

AN EPILEPTIC man has won an award for helping others overcome the condition.

Alec Hodgson, aged 30 from Dorchester, has been named an Epilepsy Action Volunteer award winner by the British Epilepsy Association.

Mr Hodgson, who volunteers to help young people with epilepsy said he was ‘over the moon’ to receive a letter saying he had won.

Alec launched a programme to help youngsters with the condition last year as part of his volunteer work with Dorset Epilepsy Action which supports epileptic people in Weymouth and Dorchester.

Since then, he has organised a number of activities for the group and raised more than £3,000 for Epilepsy Action UK by organising a charity auction. Alec said: “I was really happy when I found out.

“I try to do as much as I can, hopefully this will raise more awareness about the group and what we do.”

Alec is sensitive to light which means he cannot drive a car or be around flashing lights.

Despite his condition, he has worked at Poundbury Garden Centre for more than five years and said he really enjoys his job.

Mr Hodgson and his family, who help with his fundraising, will travel to Leeds on February 27 for a special awards presentation.

Alec’s mum, Angie, said: “We are so proud of what Alec has achieved having this condition, which can be quite debilitating at times.

“But he just gets up and continues living life as best as he can.

“It astonishes me just how much stamina he manages to live as full a life as he can whilst helping others.”

Alec is encouraging everyone to get involved in Epilepsy Actions UK’s Purple Day on March 26 to help support the 600,000 living with the condition across the country.

For a fundraising toolkit, visit epilepsy.org.uk/purple