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Marathon runners help fight meningitis

12.09.11

BRAVE Bristolians whose lives have been affected by meningitis will be pounding the city's streets in the Bristol Half Marathon in a bid to stamp out the deadly brain bug.

A dedicated firefighter who survived meningitis as a child is heading straight from a night shift on Saturday to run in the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday morning.

Michael Keepin, 43, from Downend is running for Meningitis UK in support of the life-saving vaccine research it funds with an aim of completely eradicating all types of the disease.

It is also a cause close to his heart because his niece spent a week in intensive care when she was 21 after contracting the devastating disease.

Michael said: "I remember walking to school with my mum and the bright light was giving me a headache so she took me straight to the doctors and then I was rushed straight to hospital.

"I also remember being injected in my back where they did a lumber puncture to test for meningitis and my twin Karen crying her eyes out.

"My niece Sally Leech was very ill with meningitis too and running for Meningitis UK will spur me on while I'm running."

Throughout his training, Michael, who works from Bedminster firestation has been supported by his wife Lorraine – a nurse at the BRI and his sons Jack, 12 and Joshua, 11.

Downend dad, Tyrone Johnson will also be pulling on his running shoes in memory of his son Ryan who sadly lost his battle with meningitis in April 2010 aged three.

He will be cheered on by his wife Sarah who works at Stepping Stones nursery in Bristol and family and friends who have helped the couple raise more than £10,000 for Meningitis UK in just over a year.

Tyrone, 48, said: "With what happened to Ryan, Sarah and I are trying to do everything we can to raise awareness and funds to find a vaccine so this doesn't happen to other people and to help us overcome the situation.

"I have been training since January and I have surprised myself and really enjoyed it. I ran the Bristol 10k earlier in the year and hopefully I am ready for the half marathon now. I'm sure the atmosphere on Sunday will help me reach the finishing line."

Former World boxing champion boxer Glen Catley, 39, from Frampton Cotterell will be running for vaccine research with his friend Mike Jakeways, 57, from Winterbourne.

Glen, who now works as a clinical hypnotherapist and helps run a college boxing academy, was the British middleweight champion in 1998 and went on to win the WBC World Championship in 2000.

The friends will be turning heads by each wearing adapted children's peddle cars donated by Dick Lovett BMW with built-in collection buckets.

Glen said: "We are really excited about taking part and running for such a great cause as Meningitis UK and we hope people give generously and support us along the route. Look out for us!"

Michelle Bresnahan from Leigh Woods who tragically lost her 16-year-old son Ryan to meningitis in March last year has organised for a group of 30 runners to take part in the run - including many of her son's friends who weren't old enough to take part last year and their parents.

Michelle said: "It's a great local event and a way for people to collectively do something in memory of Ryan. Last year more than 70 people ran and it was a great way to put A Life for a Cure on the map."

After Ryan died, Michelle and her husband John started A Life for a Cure - a meningitis appeal in Ryan's memory which supports Meningitis UK.

Meningitis UK's chief executive Steve Dayman, who lost his son Spencer to the disease, said: "The team at Meningitis UK is so proud to have such a super contingent of runners - many whose lives have been directly affected by this cruel disease.

"I'm sure the thought that all the money they raise goes towards life-saving vaccine research will spur our runners on when they are feeling tired.

"We are so grateful for this kind support and we wish everyone the best of luck on Sunday morning and hope that they really enjoy themselves."

For more information about Meningitis UK's work or to donate to the charity, call 0117 947 63 20 or visit www.meningitisuk.org