Parents in poignant 201 mile walk to remember Liam
05.05.11
THE PARENTS of popular teenager Liam Keeling, who tragically died from meningitis, are preparing to do a poignant 201 mile walk in his memory.
Andy and Georgina Keeling, from Cheslyn Hay, have bravely signed up to Meningitis UK's Bordering on a Vaccine Walk around the coastline of Northern Ireland.
They will be walking an average of 22 miles a day over nine days to help raise vital funds for the charity's vaccine research work.
Football-mad Liam died from meningitis in October 2009, aged 13, and over £70,000 has now been raised in his memory.
Andy, 51, said: "It was Georgina's idea as she has relatives over there, including cousins who live near Rostrevor where the walk ends.
"I'm looking forward to it. I walk between 10 and 12 miles a day as a postman anyway but it'll be a tougher challenge for Georgina. She's been training hard though and we hope to raise over £3,000.
"It will be quite an undertaking walking that far everyday with little respite but it seemed like a fitting challenge to do in Liam's memory."
Georgina looks set to raise an extra £750 thanks to match funding from her employers Barclays.
The walk begins in Derry on May 28 and winds its way around Northern Ireland, through Belfast, before finishing in Rostrevor on June 5.
They will be joining Meningitis UK's chief executive Steve Dayman, who has walked over 12,000 miles since his 14-month-old son Spencer died from the disease in 1982, for the entire walk.
Over 150 of the charity's supporters will be joining in at various stages and it's hoped the walk will raise over £50,000.
All the money goes towards Meningitis UK's life-saving research into finding a vaccine for all forms of meningitis, including the meningitis B strain from which Liam died.
Liam, who was a year eight pupil at Cardinal Griffin, was a talented footballer whose death shocked and devastated all who knew him and his family.
It is thought he initially had swine flu, which weakened his immune system and meant he was unable to fight the meningitis-causing bacteria.
Steve Dayman, who has recently been awarded an MBE for his services to healthcare, said: "I'm really grateful to have Andy and Georgina join me for the Bordering on a Vaccine Walk.
"It's a long way and a gruelling challenge at times but well worth it for the money we collect en route and the awareness we raise.
"It's really been heartening to see how much everyone's rallied round in memory of Liam, who was a very popular and talented young man.
"Every penny they raise will go towards our single focus of finding a vaccine to save thousands of lives in the future."
To sponsor Andy and Georgina, please send cheques made payable to Meningitis UK to Barclays Bank PLC, 62 Wolverhampton Street, Willenhall, WV13 2NQ or donate directly onto Liam's Forever Fund for Meningitis UK by visiting www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and searching for Liam Keeling.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
Comments
Comments are temporarily closed for this article