A MUM who has worked tirelessly to raise money to help others despite having a severely ill child of her own has been recognised for her efforts.
Julie Harden, 40, of Coldshott, Hurst Green, was awarded a Next plc Gold Champion Award on behalf of charity Young Epilepsy at a prestigious event at City Hall in London on March 26.
The award recognises Mrs Harden's hard work and dedication to the cause while raising her son Elliott, who was born with complex epilepsy.
Elliot was first diagnosed when he was five years old. Six years on, he suffers weekly life-threatening seizures but his family have been told he is not a candidate for brain surgery.
Elliot needs 24-hour care and he cannot speak.
He has tried 15 different medications to try to help his condition, but none have been successful yet.
Mum-of-two Mrs Harden said: "His seizures are life-threatening and we have to use rescue medication and oxygen to save him."
Doctors have warned her that Elliot could suffer Sudden Unexpected Death Syndrome at any point.
Mrs Harden said: "I have been warned to prepare myself. We live for each day and every day that he is still here, it makes me so happy."
Elliot has been at St Piers School in Lingfield, run by Young Epilepsy, for the past five years.
Mrs Harden said: "Young Epilepsy opens up a world that speaks my language. Everyone at the school does a terrific job.
"The school has been a terrific support and help for him and for us as a family."
She added that she was "overwhelmed" by the award, which was presented to her by opera singer Jean Rigby.
"It was horrible waiting to know whether I had won, I was having chest pains and everything. It was nerve-racking."
Mrs Harden was up against three others for the champion award.
She said: "I have done quite a lot of fundraising for them [Young Epilepsy] and last year I managed to secure them a grant for £45,000 and the spring fair raised just under £6,000."
Mrs Harden will be celebrating by dressing up as a superhero for a 5k run in London's Regents Park in May, in aid of Young Epilepsy.
To get involved in the run for Young Epilepsy, e-mail fundraising@youngepilepsy.org.uk or call 01342 831245.
