Westbury mum Abbie Wheeler and her eldest son are having their heads shaved tomorrow to raise money for Epilepsy Action, after her youngest son was diagnosed with the condition in January.

Mrs Wheeler, who lives with her husband Geoff and their three children in Bridge Court, Westbury, found out that her six-year-old son Sam had epilepsy when he started having fits in November.

The family had just returned from America, where they had been living for three months as a result of Mr Wheeler’s work, when Sam began having regular fits, which were eventually diagnosed as epilepsy.

The fundraiser is taking place at the Railway Inn in Westbury at 5pm tomorrow, with Mrs Wheeler doing the head shave challenge with her 17-year-old son Jean-Luc, who studies mechanics at Trowbridge College.

Mrs Wheeler said: “We have been planning it for a couple of months and it all started when I jokingly said I should do a head shave for charity and Jean-Luc said he would do it with me.

“So far we have raised almost £1,000 for the charity, which is incredible.

“We really weren’t expecting that much and thought that we would probably only raise a couple of hundred pounds, but people have been so generous.

“We wanted to do it to raise money for Epilepsy Action to help other families who find themselves in a similar situation as we did.

“The charity has provided us with lots of help and advice and has been fabulous.

“They cover everything you need to know if you have a family member diagnosed with epilepsy and thanks to them even Sam’s seven-year-old sister Danielle now knows how to put him into the recovery position if he does have a fit.”

Epilepsy Action is the UK’s leading epilepsy organisation and exists to improve the lives of everyone affected by the condition. They are led by and represent people with epilepsy, their friends, families and healthcare professionals.

Mrs Wheeler added: “We want to raise as much money as possible, so anyone who wants to have a laugh and help a good cause can join us at the Railway Inn where we will have buckets out for people to make donations.”

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/Abbie-Wheeler3