A student who became a young carer at the age of seven is going the extra mile to raise awareness of her mum and brother's epilepsy.

Nicole Baxter had to "grow up fast" and learn what to do when her mum Stacey lost awareness and started to uncontrollably shake.

Her mum was later diagnosed with epilepsy, a neurological condition that causes frequent seizures.

"It was obviously quite hard to look after my mum and go to school," the 18-year-old said.

"I didn’t know what epilepsy was and I did find it difficult – I was young and wanted to enjoy my childhood.

"It did mean that I had to grow up fast."

Nicole grew up on the Isle of Sheppey, but recently moved to Milton Regis, near Sittingbourne with her mum, step-dad and two brothers.

She currently studies health and social care at Mid Kent College and also works as a crew trainer at McDonald's.

Nicole's mum, Stacey Goodger, 37, has had seizures since she was 13 and it has affected her throughout her whole life.

There are 600,000 people living with epilepsy in the UK – around one in 100 and every day 87 people are diagnosed.

Symptoms can range from uncontrollable jerking and shaking, also known as a "fit", losing awareness and staring blankly into space, as well as strange sensations – such as unusual smells or tastes, and a tingling feeling in the arms or legs.

Nicole remembers the day she was sat down by her mum and told about the neurological condition and which numbers to call in an emergency.

"It was a lot of pressure as in my eyes I wasn’t just responsible for myself," Nicole explained.

"I think the hardest part was that I couldn’t socialise with friends outside of school because I would worry about her.

"With the physical seizures I remember being really scared.

"Every time she has one to this day, I’m still in shock."

Last month her younger brother, Junior, was also diagnosed with the condition.

In June the 12-year-old suddenly had his first seizure at a nearby friend's house.

'From that moment on I went into action mode. I had to be the adult in that situation.'

"The parents hadn’t called an ambulance," she recalled. "They thought he was laying on the sofa making fun.

"From that moment on I went into action mode. I had to be the adult in that situation.

"For a young boy who doesn’t know what is happening to him, finding it hard to understand and then having all these people in the room with him – it’s quite overwhelming."

But despite being one of the most common neurological conditions globally, Nicole believes that the awareness is just not there.

There are around 60 different types of seizures and they can vary depending on where in the brain they are happening.

They can last a couple of minutes with some people remaining aware throughout, while others lose consciousness, she explaines.

Nicole added: "If my mum did have a seizure in the middle of the high street, I'm sure not many people would know what to do.

"No one knows what it is and nobody understands that there are different types of seizures.

"For example, one of my mum’s triggers is lavender – we can’t have anything scented in the house, as it will set her off.

"It's horrible going through them, once you have one it doesn’t just affect you then, it will also affect you over the coming days. It takes a lot out of you."

Throughout February, Nicole's brother and mum have tasked themselves with the challenge of walking 50 miles to raise money for Epilepsy Action.

The charity provides further medical research and advice on how to support people who have the condition. To donate click here.

So far the pair have been on six walks, with the most recent a six mile journey on Sunday, February 5, from Sittingbourne train station to the Kingsferry Bridge.

Nicole added: "They average from three to six miles each and we are asking people to donate what they can.

"Last weekend we also did a massive walk around Milton Creek Country Park and sold ribbons and sweets.

"Hopefully this will raise more awareness too."