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Whitstable man Guy Bullen, 26, died after epileptic fit at home

05:00, 12 May 2022

updated: 16:23, 12 May 2022

The devastated mother of a 26-year-old who died after an epileptic fit has paid a heartfelt tribute to her son.

Guy Bullen, from Whitstable, was found unresponsive in his bed by mum Carolyn.

Guy Bullen, from Whitstable, "loved making people laugh". Picture: Carolyn Bullen
Guy Bullen, from Whitstable, "loved making people laugh". Picture: Carolyn Bullen

His younger brother, Mitch, started CPR as they waited for paramedics - but despite desperate efforts to revive him, he tragically died that afternoon.

Paying tribute to Guy, a former pupil of Hernhill Primary in Faversham and Chaucer Technology School in Canterbury, Mrs Bullen said: “He had a very dry sense of humour and he loved making people laugh.

"He was very lucky because he retained friends from secondary and primary school, and had those people around him.

"As long as he was making people happy, that was him - and just getting on and trying to enjoy life.

"He loved gaming, skiing and Airsoft. He was fascinated with weapons and tanks, music, Star Wars, memorabilia and trying to sing."

Guy Bullen had suffered from epilepsy since the aged of 15. Picture: Carolyn Bullen
Guy Bullen had suffered from epilepsy since the aged of 15. Picture: Carolyn Bullen

Mrs Bullen said Guy had suffered with epilepsy since he was 15, but was trying his best to enjoy a normal life.

He had received different medication to help control the condition and was waiting to hear if he was eligible for a brain operation.

She told how Guy had felt tired on January 19 - about three days after he suffered a seizure - and had gone to bed to rest at home in Aurelie Way.

While Mrs Bullen was cooking dinner, she decided to try to make Guy have a drink and some paracetamol.

But when she walked into his room, her son was unresponsive.

Guy Bullen loved to ski. Picture: Carolyn Bullen
Guy Bullen loved to ski. Picture: Carolyn Bullen

Mrs Bullen said: "The annoying thing is we were all here and it was within a 10-minute window.

"Usually we can hear him shouting (when he has a fit) but we heard nothing."

Mrs Bullen told how at a recent inquest opening a coroner said Guy had died from "sudden death in epilepsy". A full hearing set to take place next week.

Mrs Bullen said: "Guy was diagnosed a month before his 16th birthday, and it came as a shock to us all.

"We don’t have anyone else in the family with epilepsy. It wasn’t the best of ages to be getting it before your exams.

Guy Bullen was waiting to hear if he was eligible for a brain operation. Picture: Carolyn Bullen
Guy Bullen was waiting to hear if he was eligible for a brain operation. Picture: Carolyn Bullen

"He had it quite often, sometimes on a weekly basis, and obviously it affected his performance in exams.

"He stayed onto sixth form and he wanted to be in the armed forces, which obviously wasn’t going to be possible.

"It is hard enough to know what you want to do at that age."

Guy had taken various medication and did reach a point where he was seizure-free.

Mrs Bullen added: "He was looking at the possibility of him learning to drive.

The bikers fundraising for the Epilepsy Society and sponsored by Bay Embroidery, Rose in Bloom and Volopa. Picture: Paul Smith
The bikers fundraising for the Epilepsy Society and sponsored by Bay Embroidery, Rose in Bloom and Volopa. Picture: Paul Smith

"But unfortunately a year to the day, he had another seizure."

Guy's family has now launched a fundraiser for the Epilepsy Society, which helped care for him

Dad Justin and brother Mitch are among seven bikers who are taking on a long-distance ride to raise money for the charity.

They boarded a ferry to Santander, Spain, on May 5 and will be returning on May 15.

Guy was looked after at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.

Mrs Bullen explained: "The consultants have a relationship with the Epilepsy Society and the Sir William Gower Centre, which is where they carry out the MRIs.

"Guy stayed there quite a few times - about four to six weeks at a time. The whole centre is run by the Epilepsy Society.

"The staff are marvellous and he got to know them. They made him feel as comfortable as possible."

Mrs Bullen has been blown away by the response to the fundraiser, with almost £6,000 raised so far.

To donate, click here. go to bit.ly/398otk7

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