Jailbreak mission in memory of Matthew
03.11.10
A CRAZY hitch-hiking challenge around the world is about to be undertaken by a Durham University student to raise money in memory of a good friend.
Krystina Warrington will be trying to get as far away from the town as possible when she leaves home with no money on November 13.
She hopes her efforts will raise vital funds for Meningitis UK after former school friend Matthew Mayer died from meningitis, aged 17.
Krystina, who is 19 and studying Natural Sciences, will be joined by fellow students Sam Dykes and Lucy Vickers.
The Jailbreak is being organised through DUCK - the university's charities committee – and challenges students to get as far as they can in 36 hours without spending any money.
Krystina said: "A friend of mine did it last year and got as far as Poland so I signed up as soon as I started uni. It should be fun.
"I also saw it as an opportunity to raise money for Meningitis UK in memory of Matthew. I know it's a challenge he would have loved to take part in himself."
Matthew, from Newcastle-Under-Lyme in Staffordshire, died just two days before Christmas in 2008.
Krystina said his death affected everyone due to the speed at which it happened.
She said: "We saw him at a friend's birthday on the Friday night dressed up as Sponge Bob Square Pants and he was on good form.
"On the Sunday he complained of feeling sick and started to vomit so he was rushed to hospital.
"Unfortunately he was put into a coma the next day as doctors tried to stabilise him. They discovered he was brain dead and his family had to make the heartbreaking decision to switch his life support machine off.
"It was really shocking. Meningitis strikes with such speed and little warning, which is why I choose to support Meningitis UK and its work to find a vaccine to prevent the disease."
Money Krystina and her team raise from the jailbreak will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. It aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis.
Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Krystina's efforts in memory of Matthew are really appreciated. We hope her team manage to reach an exciting destination safely and have fun completing the jailbreak.
"What happened to Matthew 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 friends and family reinforces the importance offinding 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."
Krystina can be sponsored by visiting www.justgiving.com/Krystina-Warrington3 or, for further information on meningitis, call 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisuk.org
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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