Ged Killen MP spent the night in Police Scotland cells in Glasgow – but for a good cause.

The local representative took part in a fundraising event for Epilepsy Scotland, where he, Paul Sweeney MP and 2 others had to raise £500 of ‘bail money’ before they are released. Ged raised over £700 while inside.

The event was called #BreakingFreeFromStigma. Its aim is to break down the stigmas that surround the 55,000 people living with epilepsy in Scotland. Studies have found that 1 in 2 people living with epilepsy in Scotland have encountered prejudice and almost everyone polled said that most people know very little about the condition.

With access only to their mobile phones, tablets and laptops, the 4 inmates raised £500 each in order to be released. They had to tweet, Instagram and Facebook their way to freedom, and in doing so, raised awareness of epilepsy and its impact on individuals, families and communities in Scotland.

The event, part of National Epilepsy Week, saw Ged joined by cell-mates Matt Wardrop, Kirsty Lynch and fellow Labour MP Paul Sweeney. Matt Wardrop works as a client services manager for consultancy firm Kissing With Confidence and Kirsty Lynch the Head of Human Resources for Trinity Mirror. Paul Sweeney is the Member of Parliament for Glasgow North East.

Ged Killen MP said:

“I am excited to do something to raise awareness of National Epilepsy Week if a little apprehensive at the thought of being locked up!”

“Epilepsy is a very widely misunderstood condition. When many people think of epilepsy they think of convulsions or seizures triggered by flashing lights – but that isn’t the reality of most people’s experience. Only about 5% of people with epilepsy are sensitive to light and many people’s seizures never involve convulsions.

“The event did a lot to raise the issue of epilepsy and bring it into the public conversation.”