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Jake's family funday to raise vital vaccine funds

06.07.11

A COUPLE who consider themselves "incredibly lucky" that their baby survived meningitis, are holding a family fun day to raise money for two charities.

Katy, 38, and Paul Davies, 40, were given the news that parents dread last year when they were told their newborn baby Jake was suffering from Streptococcal Group B meningitis – a form of meningitis found in young babies.

After being told by doctors in March that Jake was making a "fantastic" recovery, they decided to put on a fundraising event to support both Meningitis UK and the Wrexham Maelor Special Baby Care Unit.

Katy, a horse riding instructor at Deeside College, said: "It was really scary because Jake came six weeks early. I was so happy to give birth to him and then a couple of hours later I was told he had meningitis. It's every parent's worst nightmare. I really didn't know a lot about it at all.

"We are putting on the fun day because we want to support Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign and raise awareness of the disease. We know that we were really lucky that Jake survived.

"Many parents take their baby home thinking everything's fine only to go on to lose them to this devastating disease.

"It's also a chance to say thank you to the baby unit and it's set to be a really fun-packed day with loads to do – everyone's welcome."

Jake's Family Fun Day takes place on Sunday July 10 at Brymbo Sports and Social Club from 1pm.

A ski jump ride and bouncy dome, charity football match, and old-time fairground attractions are just some of the things people can look forward to.

There will also be a kids' soccer challenge and a real fire engine on show as well as various stalls, hot food, ice cream and a bar and raffle to tempt people along.

Recent confirmations for the free-to-enter fun day include a jewellery stall and face-painting.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Jake's Family Fun Day sounds like it is going to be a brilliant day. It is fantastic to hear that Jake is making a good recovery. Every penny raised for Meningitis UK will go towards our single focus of finding a vaccine to save thousands of lives in the future."