Tributes have been paid to a young dad who has died suddenly following a seizure. Charlie Rice, 22, "would have done anything for his children", a family friend has said in the wake of the tragedy.
Charlie died at home last weekend, leaving behind three young children - a daughter, a son and a stepson. He suffered long-term health issues due to epilepsy, which can cause fits and lesions on the brain.
He underwent an operation to remove lesions a few years ago, with the aim of making his epilepsy more manageable. However, Charlie - from Plymouth - continued to have seizures.
"He absolutely loved being a dad and would have done anything for his children," said family friend Kelly Sandercock, who is raising funds for Charlie's funeral, PlymouthLive reports. A GoFundMe page has beaten its initial target of £2,000.
If there is any money left over, memory bears will be made for the children that were close to Charlie. Any other remaining funds will go to his local hospital’s Neurology Department.
Kelly added: "Charlie was part of an extremely close-knit family, with immense love between Charlie and his brother and only sibling, Ross. I could not even bear to imagine the pain the family is going through, as a mother myself. Obviously no parent is prepared for the death of a child."
Kelly, 43, said she had known Charlie for many years, as he was a "lifelong friend" to her 22-year-old son, Tyler. She said: "Being the same age they've been so close since they were children. My son's autistic and Charlie was the only friend who really understood him.
"Tyler only saw Charlie a couple days before his death. All my kids knew Charlie. For them in particular, especially Tyler, this is such a heartbreaking time. I'm grieving too but I'm also just trying to be there for my children."
Kelly said that after Charlie underwent surgery, he had seizures less frequently but they often seemed more extreme. When he was younger he played a lot of football, says Kelly, encouraged by his parents, who he was extremely close to.
"He really enjoyed football and was good at it," said Kelly. "My main connection to Charlie was through my son, Tyler. He was a forever friend. He helped Tyler so much over the years. Charlie understood that he had differences (being autistic) and he worked with that."
Kelly said Charlie's mum Ness, dad, Tony and brother, Ross wanted everyone to know that they were touched and overwhelmed at the support they had received.
Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that affects the central nervous system. National charity Epilepsy Action says around one in every 100 people in the UK have epilepsy, a condition that can affect any age group.
