AN inspirational Greenock dad and his family have raised more than £3,000 to support people with epilepsy after the condition tragically killed his daughter.

Kim Ferguson passed away in 2014 at the age of just 31, leaving her loved ones devastated.

Her dad Malcolm McGowan, his son-in-law Andrew and their family and friends have channelled their grief into supporting the Epilepsy Scotland charity.

Malcolm told the Tele: “It has been tough since Kim died.

“But raising money for Epilepsy Scotland has certainly helped me.

“It’s something I look forward to, as I want to give something back to the charity.

“I think Kim would be proud.”

Malcolm, 56, who is a maintenance facility engineer at Amazon, was stunned when Kim was diagnosed with epilepsy in her late 20s.

He said: “When Kim was 18 her mum Audrey passed away and it was round about that age when she had her first seizure.

“She had been living in Elgin at the time but moved back to Greenock.

“A couple of years later she took another seizure and they started doing tests.

“She was about 26 when she was diagnosed.

“It was a shock to myself.

“We looked back at our family history and none of us had been diagnosed with epilepsy.”

Malcolm, who lives in Stafford Road with his wife Janice, said Kim was put on medication to control her symptoms.

He added: “Kim took seizures and never knew she had taken one until the next morning.

“Over the years the doctors managed to calm that down with medication.”

Kim lived life to the full and was happily married to Andrew and also played an active role in the church.

He said: “Kim liked to be the life and soul of the party.

“She was also a Christian and liked to get involved with the Greenock East United Reformed Church.

“She did a lot of work up there.

“Kim was also determined to pass her driving test but every time she tried to go for it, she would take a seizure.

“But her husband Andrew ran her about everywhere.

“He couldn’t have done enough for her.

“It was a happy time for her and they’d moved into their own house.”

It was in 2014 when tragedy struck.

Kim suddenly passed away after suffering from a seizure, leaving her family grief-stricken.

Malcolm said: “It was a tough year.

“People were worried I would turn to drink to cope.

“But I turned to my job.

“My employers couldn’t have done enough for me.

“So I buried myself in work.

“After what happened, my son Paul’s girlfriend found out she was pregnant so that gave us some light at the end of the tunnel.”

As a tribute to Kim, her family have embarked on a fundraising mission to raise money for Epilepsy Scotland — the charity which campaigns for improved healthcare, better information and an end to stigma for people with the condition.

Over the past three years, they have raised £3,800 for the charity through various events.

Malcolm added: “The first and second year after Kim died, we held a party which was really successful.

“Then my friend Tony Connelly asked me if we’d like to do a sponsored cycle round Millport which has also helped us raise money for the charity.

“This year the sponsored cycle is on September 16 and is for seven charities including Epilepsy Scotland.

“Tony has been a great support to me.”
Robyn Friel from Epilepsy Scotland says she is very grateful for the support that Malcolm and his family have given the charity.

She said: “We have been overwhelmed by how passionate Malcolm and his family have been about raising money and awareness of epilepsy.  

“Through a variety of events, including a social night in Grosvenor Bowling Club and cycling around Millport, as well as seeking donations from Malcolm’s employer, the family have raised £3,800 in Kim’s memory.  

“Their support and hard work is greatly appreciated and makes a huge difference to the work that we can do, as well as being a great way to honour Kim.”