Fundraising hits £7,000 in memory of Layton
10.02.10
THE PARENTS of 16-month-old meningitis victim Layton Cleaver have raised over £7,000 in his memory.
The toddler, from Grasswell in Houghton-le-Spring, died suddenly from the deadly brain bug on October 27.
Family and friends have since rallied round to support Meningitis UK and its Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign to find a vaccine for the Meningitis B strain which killed Layton.
Layton's parents Kimberley Heath and David Cleaver say they have been overwhelmed by people's efforts in memory of their "happy and lively" son.
A group of 12 people took part in the Great Winter Run in Edinburgh to raise £3,000, plus a charity night and auction raised £1,600.
Kimberley and David are speaking out for the first time to raise awareness of the devastating disease and encourage people to support the fundraising drive for Meningitis UK in Layton's memory.
Kimberley, 22, said they initially took Layton to the hospital on Thursday, five days before he died, because he was under the weather.
Doctors diagnosed bronchiolitis and sent him home the following day having ruled out swine flu.
Kimberley added: "Layton appeared to get better on the Saturday and Sunday but when I collected him from my mother-in-laws on Monday he was very sleepy and had cold hands and feet.
"He wasn't himself and slept from 11.30am to 3pm. When he woke up his temperature was through the roof so I got an emergency appointment at the doctors at 4pm.
"The GP was really worried and referred us straight to the hospital. By this point his heart rate was 200 beats per minute and we noticed a pin prick rash was appearing. His temperature had dropped slightly but I think that's because he had been stripped down to his nappy.
"At about 7pm the doctor sent us home, saying Layton's rash was a viral one caused by the bronchiolitis."
Layton had started to be sick by the time Kimberley and David got him home.
They took him back to hospital shortly before 11pm, when he was seen straight away and put on a ventilator but sadly it was too late and Layton died at 4.45am.
Kimberley added: "He was covered from head to toe in a dark purple rash by the time we returned to the hospital. He deteriorated so quickly in the short space of time that we had been at home..
"We're still so shocked. Hopefully other parents will read this and know what symptoms to look out for.
"Layton had a rash, cold hands and feet, was being sick, had a high heart rate and temperature. These should all set alarm bells ringing.
"Hopefully the money we raise will help Meningitis UK find a vaccine for this devastating disease but in the meantime, parents and doctors need to make sure they're alert, particularly at this time of year when people are at greater risk from meningitis."
Layton's family has lodged a complaint with Sunderland General Hospital and is considering legal action.
They have also lined up a number of fundraising activities, including a group skydive, running the Edinburgh 10k in May and the Great North Run in September.
Hetton Victory club, run by Kimberley's parents, have chosen Meningitis UK as its nominated charity of the year.
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.
Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Everyone's efforts in memory of Layton are really remarkable. To organise such a variety of events is no mean feat.
"What happened to Layton 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."
Or, to make a donation to the Forever Fund set up in Layton's memory, visit www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Layton John Cleaver.
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 a handy wallet-sized symptoms card.
To order your free symptoms information pack, please call 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisUK.org
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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Reply #1 on : Fri February 12, 2010, 12:06:49
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