A SOMERSET family has launched a fundraising campaign in memory of a “true family girl”, who died at the age of 18 last week.

Alisha Louise Hooper has been described by her family as a talented artist who enjoyed her time in education and was passionate about raising awareness of epilepsy.

She lived in Huish Episcopi with her family and recently finished her A levels at the local sixth form. She hoped to enter a career in care.

While at sixth form, Alisha would often give presentations and make posters about epilepsy and the effects medication for it can have, especially on teenage girls.

Alisha developed epilepsy in 2017 and would infrequently suffer seizures in her sleep.

Her family has started a JustGiving page to raise money for Epilepsy Society, which aims to make sure people with the condition can “lead the lives they want to lead”.

Their fundraising campaign has raised more than £6,350 for the charity so far, with more donations encouraged to help others living with epilepsy.

Somerset County Gazette: Alisha with Henry, the family's Basset Hound who was ‘always at her side’. Picture: Sophie EdwardsAlisha with Henry, the family's Basset Hound who was ‘always at her side’. Picture: Sophie Edwards (Image: Sophie Edwards)

Sophie Edwards, Alisha's mother, has paid tribute to her daughter, who leaves behind her father Paul and brother Toby, 22.

She said: “Alisha was a true family girl. The four of us did everything together. Her brother had recently finished his degree, and it was great to be all back together again.

“We truly treasure all the days out, weekends away and the amazing family trips we took, enabling us to make the most precious memories.

“I cannot express how much we loved our time together. 

“Alisha was incredibly creative and spent her free time writing and drawing. Alisha had been working on a book since school, and was so proud to share her work.

“Alisha would also spend hours drawing, and create so many amazing pictures. The last one, which she created the evening before she died, was left outside our bedroom door for me.

“The words say ‘Hope Shines Eternal’. I will treasure it forever. Writing and drawing was her biggest passion, and our Bassett Hound Henry would always be at her side.”

Alisha previously attended Somerton Infant School, Monteclefe Junior School, and Huish Episcopi Academy. 

She studied A levels in English literature, English language, and sociology.

Sophie added: “Alisha loved her time at sixth form. The support of the teachers was so clear; It was a very nurturing and safe environment.

“Alisha wanted to go into a caring career and had been directing her energy into work experience at Langport Primary School, which she enjoyed after she left sixth form but was hoping to gain a place with a local nursery.”

Over half a million people in the UK live with epilepsy, and the condition is usually diagnosed after a person has had several seizures.

“Alisha was really passionate about raising awareness of the condition, along with the effects that medication can have, especially for teenage girls,” said Sophie.

“Alisha would often do presentations at sixth form assemblies and create posters to raise awareness and get people talking about the condition.

“Alisha really wanted everyone to feel that they could talk about it. 

“Our beautiful daughter was approaching 19 and went to bed happy and outwardly healthy on Tuesday evening.

“As a family we are absolutely devastated, yet we do find comfort in raising awareness for epilepsy, as Alisha would have wanted.

“We are so incredibly grateful for any donation that can be made, and the conversation that will hopefully follow. I will forever miss ‘my bean’.”

To donate to the family's fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sophie-edwards63.

For more information about the Epilepsy Society, visit epilepsysociety.org.uk.