Strollers raise £20,000 for meningitis research

AN ARMY of walkers put their best foot forward to raise £20,000 for Meningitis UK in the charity's annual Summer Stroll.

A total of 159 dedicated supporters trekked the 14-miles from Bath to Bristol for the popular event.

Joining the sea of yellow t-shirts was former Apprentice contestant Lorraine Tighe and her young daughter Alexia, who was struck down by meningitis at the age of two.

She's chosen to support the Bristol-based charity's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign to find a vaccine for meningitis B - the strain which left the toddler fighting for her life.

Lorraine, 37, said she was delighted to have helped raise the event's profile and contribute to the grand total.

She said: "To raise £20,000 in just one day is amazing. Everyone who took part did so well and was so passionate about the cause.

"My own experience has made me determined to help raise awareness. I know that we're lucky to have Alexia and that she's made a full recovery when thousands more aren't so lucky.

"Meningitis can strike so quickly, killing in under four hours, which is why it's so important people know what symptoms to look out for.

"The charity does such a huge amount of good work and I was pleased to play a part in such a successful day."

Also supporting Meningitis UK's fourth annual Summer Stroll was Bristol's Lord Mayor Chris Davies, Jed and Kate Pitman from Original FM, Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown, former City player Scott Murray, Bath MP Don Foster, Bath City captain Jim Rollo, the team's manager Adie Britton and Miss Bristol Suzannah Burke.

Organiser Paul Hobbs, a well-known Bristol charity supporter, said: "It was fantastic to have such good support on the day. I'm so pleased to have raised £20,000, which now takes the Stroll total to over £70,000 in four years.

"My aim is to raise £100,000 so we're thinking about next year's event already."

The Stroll started at Bath City Football Club's Twerton Park Stadium followed by a stop at the Crown in Saltford, then lunch at the Paintworks, down to the Welshback before ending with a well-deserved meal at Bristol City's Ashton Gate Stadium.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died, thanked everyone involved.

He said: "Considering the economic climate we're delighted to be able to raise such a significant amount of money again.

"It's all thanks to our loyal supporters and sponsors, who were so enthusiastic and made a real effort.

"Every penny raised is so important in enabling us to continue our vital work and will take us one step closer to finding a vaccine and saving lives."

The Summer Stroll was sponsored by Gadd Homes, with DAS and Mercedes Benz of Bath and Bristol the associate sponsors. The event was also supported by Greenpark Publishing.

The £20,000 raised supports Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into eradicating Meningitis B - the most common form of meningitis in the UK. This accounts for almost 90 per cent of all cases and there is still no vaccine.

To find out more, or to support the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, call 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisuk.org.

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