Deganwy woman's marathon for tragic sister

Aug 7 2008 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

A YOUNG woman from Deganwy undertakes a gruelling marathon this weekend in memory of her sister.

Dr Rachel Rhiannon Jones died from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy – SUDEP – on November 1 last year at the age of 23.

Rachel, who had just qualified as a doctor, was an accomplished musician, had captained Southampton University’s women’s rugby team and was elected mess president for the doctors’ social programme. She had also carried out volunteer work at a remote hospital in Thailand.

Jewellery designer Sian Jones, 22, was always close to her sister and her loss has left a huge void in her life.

“I’m still very angry that she died of SUDEP, which we didn’t know existed,” says Sian, who now lives in Birmingham. “Rachel didn’t even know and she was a doctor and had epilepsy!

“What I’m trying to do is raise more awareness about it as it kills three people every day in the UK – more than both cot death and Aids.”

This weekend Sian will swim half a mile across the Thames as part of a relay in the Mazda London Triathlon, the largest in the world. She has joined the team of a family from Dyserth who lost their son Warren to SUDEP.

“I’m very nervous as swimming isn’t exactly my forte,” admits Sian. “I can’t get the breathing right, but I’ll be determined to do it as I want to raise as much money as possible for Epilepsy Bereaved.

“People have been very kind and our old school Ysgol Aberconwy raised over £100 through a cake raffle for the charity.”

Next month Sian is off to Thailand to retrace Rachel’s steps. She kept detailed notes where she visited and Sian will use them as a guide.

“Rachel loved that job at the hospital even though it dealt mostly with Aids patients,” said Sian. “Perhaps on the trip I’ll be able to find some kind of peace and maybe even come to accept her death.”

Sian has grown closer to her brother Matthew, who is also about to embark on a life changing journey to work in Australia.

Anyone who would like to support Sian’s charity fundraiser in aid of Epilepsy Bereaved can contact Sian or Matthew on 01492 623428. For more information on the Mazda London Triathlon teams visit www.justgiving.com/debrahamer