HUNDREDS of people gathered for the funeral of an Oswaldtwistle teenager ‘who had a heart of gold’.

Friends and family paid their respects at St Mary’s Church in the town for the mass service to celebrate the life of former Mount Carmel student Amelia Mai Ashworth, known as Millie.

The former Blackburn College pupil had battled with epilepsy and had created a short film about the condition in a bid to raise awareness and promote positivity.

The 19-year-old had just begun a course at Edge Hill University but died suddenly on October 30.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Millie Ashworth

Purple is the international colour for epilepsy awareness and mourners wore purple clothes and ribbons for the service.

Mum Louise said: “Millie was so loved and you could see that with how many people turned up.

“The priest said he thought it was Christmas as everyone had turned up.

“Millie lived her life to the fullest and she took every pain and seizure in her stride and never allowed it to let her down.

“She took every obstacle and rose above it and did her best all the time. She was beautiful inside and out. My vision was that we would have a sea of purple and everyone thinking about epilepsy. It is Epilepsy Awareness Month and there is so much that needs to be done about raising awareness and that is my life mission in memory of Millie.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Friends and family members of Millie Ashworth promoting Epilepsy Awareness

Millie’s uncle Chris McCaughran said: “It is about the next stage now and about giving back and I have spoken to university, colleges and schools to recognise epilepsy and help educational establishments.

“We miss her so much and our hearts are broken in pieces but we will be trying to raise awareness about epilepsy action and other groups. It has been good to see so many people here and she touched so many lives.

“If I had been able to do that by the age of 19 I would have been so pleased.”

Xavier Bowers, headteacher of Mount Carmel School, said: “It was a fantastic tribute to Millie that so many staff and former pupils attended the funeral.

“Millie was a beautiful person and she was so kind and thoughtful and was full of life. It was sad that this should happen.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to the family at this difficult time and we will be happy to raise awareness about epilepsy action with them.”

To find out more visit www.epilepsy.org.uk