Pedalling out in memory of Ella
29.06.10
BABY Ella Funnell was remembered at the weekend when 50 intrepid cyclists pedalled from Portsmouth to Brighton.
The group looks set to raise over £5,000 for Meningitis UK in memory of the youngster, who was just 18 days old when she died from the brain infection shortly before Christmas.
Her dad Simon led the 53 mile fundraising mission, which took him just over four hours.
He said: "Everyone really enjoyed the day and so many people want to do it next year that we've decided to make it an annual event. We set off from Portsmouth at about 9am and there was a crowd of people waiting for us at Brighton Pier.
"It was quite emotional to cross the finish line and hear everyone cheering but, above all, it felt so positive that everyone was enjoying the day and raising money in Ella's memory.
"Everyone finished except one guy who got really bad cramp just six miles from the end. Thankfully there was a masseur set up on the seafront to help with our aches and pains."
Simon, who is a former Brighton and Hove Albion player, is also busy organising a football match between former Brighton and Crystal Palace players.
The encounter takes place at the Three Bridges Football Club in Crawley on September 5.
Simon, 35, and his partner Lucie Dunbar are aiming to raise £25,000 in memory of Ella by the anniversary of her death.
She died from a group B streptococcal infection which caused meningitis.
Group B streptococcus, also known as GBS, is the most common cause of severe infection in newborn babies in the UK.
Lucie, who is 20 weeks pregnant, said: "Within 24 hours Ella had gone from being perfectly healthy to us facing the prospect of turning off her life support machine. It's a horrible, horrible disease which is why we're doing our best to help beat it.
"It's been really good to have all the fundraising to focus on after losing Ella. It's been amazing how everyone's rallied round."
Money raised from everyone's fundraising efforts 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 all forms of meningitis.
Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "The bike ride was a fantastic effort by everyone involved. It was no mean feat to cycle over 50 miles in such heat and to raise over £5,000 is a phenomenal achievement.
"Every penny raised will go towards our single focus - to find a vaccine to eradicate meningitis and save thousands of lives in the future."
To give money in memory of Ella, please visit www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Ella Funnell.
If anyone wants to take part in next year's cycle ride then contact Toya Champ at Meningitis UK on 0117 373 73 73 or email toyachamp@meningitisuk.org.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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