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Over £70,000 raised in tribute to popular Liam

09.02.11

A FUNDRAISING drive in memory of popular youngster Liam Keeling has topped the £70,000 mark – just 15 months after his devastating death from meningitis.

The impressive figure was reached after a charity sports evening raised £7,000 at Walsall Football Club.

The continued efforts of the Liam Keeling Memorial Fund have made an unprecedented contribution to Meningitis UK.

The charity funds life-saving research into finding a vaccine for Meningitis B - the strain from which 13-year-old Liam died in October 2009.

The charity sports evening saw a talk from former Wolves and Walsall player Steve Daley and comedian Josh Daniels, with a popular auction of sporting memorabilia.

Liam, from Cheslyn Hay, was a year eight pupil at Cardinal Griffin and a talented footballer with Wyrley Juniors, a team co-managed by his dad Andy.

Andy says his family has been overwhelmed by everyone's support: "It's amazing that people's support for the cause is still so strong.

"The memorial committee members work so hard and every event has been a brilliant tribute to Liam.

"It's good to feel that we're doing something good to help other people in the future. To find a vaccine to protect against meningitis would be a wonderful achievement."

A whole host of events are already organised for the rest of the year, including a gig by the Black Country Boys at Walsall Football Club on April 15.

The committee members are also asking people to Leap for Liam on September 11, when a 160ft bungee jump is being set up at the West Midlands Water Ski Centre.

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: "The sporting dinner was a really good night and a lot of work was put in to ensure everyone enjoyed themselves.

"To raise £70,000 in a relatively short amount of time is fantastic and it's been heartening to see how much everyone's rallied round in memory of Liam, who is hugely missed.

"Every penny they raised will go towards our single focus of finding a vaccine to save thousands of lives in the future."

For more details on the upcoming events, in particular the bungee jump, call events coordinator Tim Rooney on 07738 837590.