In memory of loving Liam
26.01.10
THE PARENTS of 13-year-old meningitis victim Liam Keeling have paid tribute to their "loving, happy and caring" son, who tragically died last year.
Andy and Georgina Keeling are speaking out for the first time to raise awareness of the devastating disease and encourage people to support the fundraising drive in Liam's memory.
The popular youngster's friends and family have so far raised £2,000 for Meningitis UK and hope to hit the £13,000 target by the end of February.
The charity funds life-saving research into finding a vaccine for Meningitis B, which is believed to be the strain from which Liam died on October 27.
Liam, from Cheslyn Hay, was a year eight pupil at Cardinal Griffin High School and a talented footballer with Wyrley Juniors, a team co-managed by his dad Andy.
Andy, 50, said finding a vaccine was the only way to prevent the devastating disease as often the symptoms are hard to distinguish from cold and flu.
Liam had been off school two days the week before half term with a cold but he shook it off and went back to school on the Thursday.
He went on a school trip to the Black Country Museum and three friends stayed for a sleep over after school. He played with them all Friday, then went to a race night with his dad and team mates in the evening.
Then, at about 4pm on Saturday, he had a headache, temperature and was being sick. He experienced a rigor - an episode of uncontrollable shaking brought on by a high temperature.
Georgina phoned the doctors' out-of-hours service who asked them to check for a rash but as Liam didn't have one they diagnosed swine flu.
The symptoms persisted and, after a second phone call, the doctors recommended continuing to take paracetamol and nurofen.
By Tuesday morning Liam had stopped being sick, his temperature had lowered and he was being his cheeky self. In return, he was teased about being sick in the school holidays.
He had walked downstairs to lie on the sofa with a blanket and was watching some television when he told Georgina he was going to have a nap.
Georgina, who had been sat on the floor next to the sofa, discovered that Liam was motionless shortly afterwards and hurriedly called for an ambulance.
Andy added: "I had taken my older daughter Hannah and her boyfriend to WaterWorld in Stoke and got a call from Georgina at about 2pm saying to hurry home.
"The paramedics resuscitated Liam on the way to hospital but he died later that afternoon with his family round him."
It is thought Liam initially had swine flu, which weakened his immune system and meant he was unable to fight the meningitis-causing bacteria.
Tests revealed that he died of meningitis and septic shock.
Andy says the family feels a sense of disbelief that a fit and healthy teenager could die so suddenly after displaying only flu-like symptoms.
Friends have rallied round to raise money since his death, with Andy and Georgina's colleagues at the Royal Mail and Barclays Bank respectively organising several fundraisers before Christmas.
They hope their efforts in his memory will help prevent hundreds of lives being lost to the devastating disease in the future.
Andy added: "Over 600 people turned up for his funeral and they couldn't all fit into the church. We've been really comforted by everyone's support and enthusiasm for fundraising.
"Liam was such a loving, happy, caring and contented young man. He always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"He loved life and everyone who came into contact with him felt his love and enthusiasm for everything."
Liam was passionate about all sports, especially football and was a season ticket holder for Walsall FC.
A host of former Walsall footballers have signed up for a charity match against Wyrley Juniors FC, which is being held on January 31 at Great Wyrley FC in Hazel Lane. Kick off's at 2pm and the match will be followed by an auction and raffle.
Tickets for the charity football match on January 31 are available from Wyrley Juniors FC chairman Keith Hardy on 07836 202764.
And a charity evening at Walsall FC on February 11 has already sold out, with all 360 tickets being snapped up.
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 Liam are really remarkable. To organise such a variety of events is no mean feat.
"What happened to Liam 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 Liam's memory, visit www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Liam Keeling.
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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