An epilepsy awareness group in Balloch has recently been awarded charitable status and now wants to reach out and help more people across the region.

The West Dunbartonshire Epilepsy Support Group was set up to help people with epilepsy and their families and to create better awareness of the condition.

In the past they have held awareness sessions at local football games and also provided information to police officers and firefighters about epilepsy and how to recognise a seizure.

Brian Rocks, group chairman, said: “Most people don’t know anything about epilepsy. There are up to 40 different types of seizure. Most people think it’s only grand mal. We want to get people to understand.

“We’re here to help each other. We’re working with the police and fire brigade just now. We want more people to come to the groups, as many people as possible. It’s there for everyone.” The group were given a grant of just under £4,000 last year from Awards for All and plans to expand their activities.

One area being looked at is providing people with In Case of Emergency (ICE) cards which list which type of seizure a person commonly has; what is likely to happen and what someone should do, along with their name and address.

Other ideas being considered are running trips and to invite people, such as medical professionals, to speak at the group.

Mr Rocks, 45, of Faifley, said the support group had helped him since it was set up a couple of years ago.

He said he can take up to twenty seizures a month and had different types including complex partial seizures, often characterised by ‘wandering’ around and apparently aimless activities, and tonic clonic seizures – the grand mal seizures which most people associate with epilepsy.

He is also photosensitive so can be triggered by flashing lights.

He said Gil Paterson MSP had been ‘fantastic’ in backing the group ever since he visited him and had a seizure in his office.

He said: “In a way it’s the best thing that could have happened. I started taking my shoes and socks off, started to clean his office and then went into the road with no shoes or socks on. Gil said from that day onwards he was going to do everything he could for epilepsy.” The group said: “Epilepsy affects people in many different ways. In most cases, it can be managed with adequate medication which allows people to continue to work, study and enjoy everyday life.

“For some though life is more difficult, particularly if they have seizures which leave them injured or tired out.

“There are more than 40 different types of seizures ranging from staring, to unusual or rapid movements. Not everyone falls down, some people wander away when in a seizure so you could imagine this makes life very difficult.” The group meet on the third Thursday of every month, at the National Park HQ, Carrochan Way, Balloch, from 10am to noon.