£700 raised in memory of Linton

A GRIEVING family have completed a poignant 28-mile trek to mark the second anniversary of Coventry toddler Linton Bell's death.

The two-year-old passed away in his parents' arms just hours after being struck down by deadly brain bug meningitis.

His parents Leona and Martin, grandmother Christine Brewster, aunt Sabrina Brewster and several friends trekked from Charlesmore to Kenilworth and back in memory of the youngster, raising £700 for Meningitis UK in the process.

Christine said it was an emotional day but fundraising had given them something to focus on.

"The worst time of his anniversary is the morning, which is when he passed away. We chose to do a sponsored walk because it gave us all something to focus on," she said.

"It was very tough, especially as we walked past his grave on the way back, but we felt we were doing something positive in his memory."

All the money they raised will go towards Meningitis UK and its goal to find a vaccine for Meningitis B - the strain of the deadly brain bug which killed Linton in June 2007.

Christine said that the speed at which the disease took Linton's life made them realise just how important it is to find a vaccine and protect future generations.

She said: "His death was such a shock. It was a beautiful summy day and Linton had been out to the shops with his mum and playing in the garden.

"I went to visit at about 6pm and he was moaning a little and had a slight temperature. Chicken Pox had been going around so Leona gave him some Calpol, gave him a bath and put him to bed.

"He woke up at 1pm and was sick, but his brother had also been sick the night before. Leona checked his skin, worried he might have chicken pox, but it was fine."

Because he was a bit lethargic Leona put him in her bed with partner Martin.

Linton woke up again at 5am, needing his nappy to be changed and asking for milk. Leona then spotted what looked like a small blood blister on his bottom.

As the rash began to spread they called an ambulance but in just 45 minutes their precious son had passed away.

Christine, Dillotford Avenue, said: "It was terrible. There were no signs. He was talking away, then lifted his head and said, ‘I'm sorry mummy' and repeated it before passing away. He knew he was dying.

"Leona spoke to the doctor the next day. As a parent she felt responsible but he said he would have missed it too."

Leona and Martin got married soon after Linton's death and have since had another son called Theo, who was born three months ago. Their eldest son Leo, now four, remembers Linton well and they're determined to keep his memory alive.

She said: "Hopefully our efforts will take Meningitis UK one step closer to finding a vaccine. It really is such a devastating disease, which can take people's lives in a matter of hours.

"If the disease can be eradicated then, one day, people won't have to go through the heartache we endured when Linton died."

All the money raised will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. It aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B - the most common form of meningitis in the UK. This accounts for almost 90 per cent of all cases, including the strain which killed Linton.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Everyone's efforts in memory of Linton are really remarkable. To raise such an impressive amount on what must have been such an emotional day is a real achievement, and greatly appreciated.

"Every penny raised will go towards our single focus - to find a vaccine to eradicate meningitis.

"Our ultimate goal is to spare people the heartache Linton's family have suffered by losing a loved one to meningitis."

Meningitis UK is offering the public free symptoms information packs to help raise awareness. These include a leaflet with all the facts and frequently asked questions, plus a ‘Check the Symptoms' fridge magnet and handy wallet-sized symptoms cards.

To order your free symptoms information pack or for more information about Meningitis UK, call 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org.

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