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100 walk to remember Chris

04.01.11

AROUND 100 friends and family of Wotton-under-Edge teenager Chris Pegler will be taking part in an 11-mile walk through Gloucestershire on Saturday.

The whole community has rallied round in memory of the popular 18-year-old, who died suddenly from meningitis in November.

His family has organised The Chris Pegler Memorial Walk on Saturday to raise money for Meningitis UK and its vaccine research work.

They say everyone's welcome to take part in the event which begins at 10.30am at The Full Moon pub in Synwell.

Chris' younger sister Bex, who has been instrumental in organising the day, said: "We walked the same route when we were little so it'll be very poignant.

"I'm looking forward to it because I know it's an occasion Chris would have loved. It feels good to be doing something positive in his memory.

"People are welcome to turn up on the day. Since Chris died everyone's been really supportive and it will be good to have all his friends and family together on Saturday."

The walk stretches 2.3 miles from Synwell to The Dinneywicks Inn in Kingswood before leaving for The Buthay in Wickwar at 12noon.

A 3.4 mile leg to The Plough in Charfield kicks-off at 1.30pm, with the final 2.7 mile stretch back to The Full Moon in Synwell beginning at 3.30pm.

Sponsor forms will be available on the day for late sign-ups and people are urged to register from 10am, or they can join at any of the pub stops.

Chris parents Karen and Steve, from Pitman Place, say they've been touched by everyone's support and hope their efforts will help to save thousands of lives in the future.

Over £2,700 has already been raised in Chris' memory and his family are hoping that the walk will boost this total.

All the money raised in memory of Chris 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 all forms of meningitis.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, will be taking part in the walk.

Steve, from Alveston, said: "Everyone's efforts in memory of Chris are really remarkable. I'm sure Saturday will be a really special day and I hope the locals in Wotton will lend their support.

"What happened to Chris sadly illustrates the speed at which meningitis can strike, with very few symptoms to distinguish the disease from more common illnesses.

"The devastation experienced by his family reinforces the importance of finding a vaccine sooner rather than later.

"Every penny they raise will go towards this single focus and our ultimate goal to spare people the heartache of losing a loved one to meningitis."

To make a donation to the Forever Fund set up in Chris' memory, visit www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Christopher John Pegler.