Alan Pring was captain of QEH School, played rugby for Bristol and South of England and became a barrister after studying law at King’s College and the Bar School in London. At the age of 27, he had the world at his feet until he was diagnosed with epilepsy and died the same year from a condition known as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
This took place in 1990, over 30 years ago, and now his sister Kate Fisher, her husband Scott and their sons, Tom and Ben, will cycle 160 miles this weekend to raise funds for SUDEP Action in memory of her brother. The charity was formed by Alan’s mum, his previous partner, Jane Hanna OBE, and three other bereaved mothers to further research following SUDEP deaths in their families.
There are at least three epilepsy related deaths a day in the UK. That's over 20 a week, but there are factors which can be addressed to reduce the risk.
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Alan's sister Kate said that May 8 would have been Alan’s 60th birthday. She said: “We planned a garden party on the Coronation weekend to celebrate Alan’s 60th birthday and my husband came up with the idea of a cycle ride to significant places in Alan’s life to raise funds for the charity.”
Growing up in Filton and after graduating in law, Alan gained a position at Pump Court Chambers before moving to Winchester Chambers in 1989. Kate said her brother’s epilepsy diagnosis in 1990, when he was 27-years-old, “was a huge shock". "He had always led a full and active life and was determined to live life to the full," she added.
“He was given medication to control the condition but was never warned about the risks of SUDEP. Alan had two further seizures before suffering a fatal seizure in his sleep on 4 December 1990,” she said.
Kate said none of the family were prepared for his sudden death which hit them hard, saying: “None of us knew anything about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.” She added that latest figures indicate there are 21 deaths a week in the UK related to epilepsy and that “half of those could be avoided, there are things you can do to avoid it.”
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She added. “Alan was very likeable, he was the type of person who got on with anyone. He had his opinions which is how he ended up as a barrister, he was a good listener and a very thoughtful person.”
She added that as captain of QEH school, he had been popular with pupils and staff alike, while he also enjoyed rugby and outdoor activities, as well as music and enjoyed taking part in musicals at school.”
The family will cycle from London to Winchester on Saturday where they will visit the road and neighbours where Alan stayed, as well as the pub Alan frequented and meet up with some of his friends. On Sunday they will cycle from Winchester back to Bristol.
Kate, who cycles to work and back from Henleaze where the family now lives, said: “It will be the first time we have done a long ride as a family, we’ve never done such a significant ride before. We’ve done lots of rides south and north of Bristol to prepare,” she said.
Kate’s mother, Sheila along with three other mothers who had lost children to SUDEP, along with Alan’s partner at the time, Jane Hanna OBE, started Epilepsy Bereaved following Alan's death to provide support to families who had lost someone to SUDEP. But this has grown and evolved over the years to SUDEP Action which is not only about supporting families, but also targeting the risks behind SUDEP.
Jane Hanna OBE, who is now the charity’s CEO said: “SUDEP Action began from five women sitting around a table, wanting answers, over two decades ago. Our community of families and research champions have taken a subject that was taboo and filled a vacuum with research evidence and innovation of services to help families and the NHS.”
SUDEP Action states that there are “at least 3 epilepsy related deaths a day in the UK”. They are the only charity in the UK which specialises supporting families bereaved by epilepsy.
