Brian sinks 108 holes to raise £1,300

14.07.10

A COUNTY Durham dad has told how his daughter's miraculous recovery from meningitis inspired an unusual fundraising challenge - playing six rounds of golf in one day.

Christer Malsbury and Brian Skaife Brian Skaife, 50, completed the full 108 holes in 17 hours and 35 minutes to raise over £1,300 for Meningitis UK.

His daughter Jaimie fell dangerously ill with the brain bug three years ago when she was a 20-year-old student at Leeds Carnegie University.

During the terrifying first few days in hospital, doctors warned her parents Brian and Karen that it was touch and go whether she would pull through.

That thought spurred Brian on as he started his fundraising mission at 3.45am when he could hardly see more than 100 metres at Beamish Park Golf Club.

Brian, from Stanley, said: "Soon after Jaimie recovered I decided I wanted to do something for Meningitis UK to help with its vaccine research work. But I wanted to do something different, which is how the golf challenge came about.

"I calculated that six rounds would be the maximum I could fit into one day and went from there.

"It was tough, especially the second and third rounds when you realise just how much further you have to go.

"I last round was actually my best score of the day and by this point there were quite a few people watching and lending their encouragement.

"By the time we finished I reckon we had walked about 32 miles in total but it was worth it to raise £1,300."

Brian was joined by work colleague Christer Malsbury, who successfully completed 100 holes and raised £700 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Jaimie was there to cheer her dad on and he was greeted by a celebratory pint when he finally finished 108 holes later at 9.20pm.

Brian recalled the frightening few weeks when Jaimie was fighting for her life, an ordeal which began with little more than flu-like symptoms.

He said: "We went to see her on the Sunday and she was fine. She said she felt a bit of a cold coming on when we said goodbye in the evening but there was nothing to indicate what was to come.

"The next day she said she still felt under the weather was going to head to bed early. We owe her life to her housemate Andy who noticed she hadn't got up the next morning.

"He knocked on her door to check she was ok and when there was no answer he went in and discovered her lying semi-conscious. She had been sick and had a rash."

Andy called the doctors who said he would have to bring her in after surgery later that day.

Luckily, Andy persisted and decided to ring the hospital and an ambulance came immediately.

Brian said: "His swift actions saved her life. The doctors suspected meningitis and Jaimie was treated with antibiotics straightaway.

"We got to Leeds at about 11.30am and she was delirious. She didn't have a clue who we were for about 12 hours. Doctors told us it was touch and go as the rash continued to spread throughout her body.

"The tips of her fingers were turning black but luckily the doctors caught it just in time to prevent any further damage.

"She was in intensive care for four days and became more stable. It was only when they transferred her to the ward that we allowed ourselves to believe she would pull through."

Jaimie remained in hospital for the next two weeks before being allowed home to Stanley with her parents.

But the next day Jaimie developed a condition called Bell's Palsy which caused the left hand side of her face to freeze.

She was admitted to Durham Hospital where she spent a week not being able to smile or drink.

Thankfully the paralysis subsided after six weeks and she returned to university. She now works at BAE Systems with her dad.

Jaimie Skaife Brian added: "We're so proud of her. She's probably made as near a full recovery as you could expect. She hasn't got much feeling in her finger tips but apart from that she's fine.

"Last year we both took part in the Helly Hansen Adventure Challenge to mark my 50th birthday and to do it with her made it extra special. Having meningitis has changed her outlook on life and made her want to do everything.

"Hopefully we can help Meningitis UK find a vaccine to help save others in the future."

Money raised from Brian's golf challenge 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 the disease in the UK and the strain which Jaimie had.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Playing 108 rounds of golf is no mean feat and we're all in awe of Brian's efforts. We hope the aches and pains of playing solidly for over 17 hours were worth it to raise such a fantastic amount of money.

"We were pleased to hear that Jaimie made such a good recovery thanks to her housemate's vigilance and prompt treatment at the hospital. Because meningitis can kill in less than four hours, early recognition, diagnosis and prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death.

"Unfortunately not everyone makes a full recovery and the disease kills hundreds of people each year. Every penny Brian raises will go towards our single focus - to find a vaccine to eradicate meningitis and save thousands of lives in the future."

There's still time to sponsor Brian by visiting his Just Giving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Brian-Skaife.

Or, for more information about meningitis or to support the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, please call 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisuk.org.