A SCHOOL will turn purple to raise awareness of epilepsy — a condition which cut short a "beloved" former pupil's life.

Sam Ahearn was aged just 19 when she died unexpectedly during a seizure at her home in Radcliffe.

Since her sudden death in July 2009, her family has committed to fundraising and raising awareness of epilepsy-related issues.

Now her school, St Monica's RC High School in Prestwich, will hold a dedicated Wear Your Own Clothes (WYOC) day in memory of Sam and to support the international Epilepsy Awareness Day.

Pupils, including Sam's youngest sister Alice McGoff who is in Year 7 at St Monica's, will dress in purple clothing at school tomorrow.

Sam's mother, Lynn McGoff, said: "I want to get people involved, and more so at St Monica’s because Samantha went there. I want her to be remembered.

"It will be the 10th anniversary of her death this July and we want to see that her name is still very much in the limelight and to show how much she is still doing for those with epilepsy.

"Some of the same teachers are still there from when Samantha attended, and are being very supportive.

"It will be so lovely to see them all in purple supporting Epilepsy Awareness Day."

Sam had her first seizure in December 2008, aged 19, after which she was diagnosed with epilepsy.

Over the next six months, she had eight seizures in total, the last of which proved fatal.

The family has since learned that Sam died from a condition known as SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy).

"Sadly no one knows when epilepsy will strike, never mind SUDEP", Mrs McGoff said. "Samantha had her first seizure just after her 19th birthday and died six months later."

The school announced the WYOC day in memory of the former pupil in their newsletter last Friday.

It read: "The school will be holding a wear purple day on March 26 for epilepsy awareness day, in memory of a former pupils, Samantha Ahearn, who died of epilepsy aged just 19.

"School are asking for a £1 donation towards charity.

"Purple is also the colour we associate with Lent; firstly because it is associated with mourning and so anticipates the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, and secondly because purple is the colour associated with royalty, and celebrates Christ's resurrection and sovereignty.

"We hope that as many people as possible will take part in this charity event to honour our Lenten promise to raise alms, and to remember a beloved former pupil."

Visit the family's Facebook page for charity Sudep Action at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/samahearn.