A FAMILY have been thanked for their “truly awe-inspiring” achievement in raising more than £40,000 in memory of a teenager who died tragically after suffering an epileptic fit.

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

Since then, her family have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition and support epilepsy charity SUDEP Action.

After their latest fundraiser, a ball at the Village Hotel in Ashton earlier this month, the Sam Ahearn Appeal has now passed the £40,000 mark — a remarkable achievement given the family’s initial target of just £500.

Lynn McGoff, Sam’s mum, has vowed to continue their fundraising as a tribute to the former Holy Cross College student.

She said: “I’m really happy, but we don’t want to stop here.

“People might think that we have reached our target now, but we will definitely be doing more in the future.

“We will be having a holiday now, but as soon as we are back my mind will be on what we are going to do next.”

Jane Hanna OBE, chief executive of SUDEP Action, said: “We are delighted to hear the McGoff family have surpassed their £40,000 fundraising target.

“The commitment which Lynn and Billy and all their friends and family have shown since Sam died has been incredible.

“What they have achieved in Sam’s memory is truly awe-inspiring and has helped us at SUDEP Action to continue our research and campaigning work aimed at reducing epilepsy deaths and keeping people with epilepsy safe.”

Mrs McGoff, who has two other children, Adam and Alice, added: “I want to say a particular thank you to Silletts Funeral Service for their support of the event. Without people like them we would not have been able to do any of the things we have over the last few years.

“They handled Sam’s funeral arrangements and their family have children who were at school with Sam, so they were very touched by her story. To know that she is still in their thoughts is wonderful.

“There were some of Sam’s schoolfriends there too and it is so nice to know that she is remembered by them.

“It was mainly friends and family, but there were quite a few people who have read about Sam’s story and wanted to get involved.

“There were some with epilepsy that I had never met before and it really reminds you how many people are affected by it.”