STUDENTS at Holy Cross College did their bit to raise awareness of epilepsy-related deaths in memory of a teenager who died tragically.

Sam Ahearn was just 19 years old when she died in July 2009 after falling downstairs while having a seizure at her home in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe.

Since 2010, her family and friends have raised more than £36,000 for epilepsy charity SUDEP Action, and students at Sam's former college added to those efforts last Friday with an array of charitable activities.

Bec Hyndman, the college's head of RE and one of Sam's former teachers, organised the event, which raised hundreds of pounds.

She said: "We encouraged everyone to dress in purple and orange for the day, which are the colours of SUDEP Action, and ran lots of other fundraising activities.

"There was a big cake sale, face and nail painting, we raffled off five goody bags, and sold some SUDEP Action merchandise.

"The main reason we have done this is that Sam is an ex-student here. We obviously don't have any of her friends her anymore, but whenever we do any fundraising we will tell our current pupils about her.

"I was her RE teacher so it was very important to me to make sure people know her story.

"It helps to spread the message and prevent as many deaths from epilepsy as we possibly can.

"Some of our students have epilepsy themselves or have siblings with epilepsy, so they were keen to get involved."

Sam's mum, Lynn McGoff, added: "I think it's amazing that Holy Cross are still running fundraisers like this, and we are very grateful to them."

On Saturday, May 21, there will be a table top tale on the Radcliffe town centre piazza in aid of the Sam Ahearn Appeal.

There will also be a 'Butterfly Ball' held at the Village Hotel, in Ashton, on October 7. Tickets for the event, where there will be a three course meal, raffles, auctions, and other fundraising activities, are £45. For more information call 07873208463.