Print company back charity after tragedy
02.09.10
THE TRAGIC death of a toddler to meningitis has spurred on a Kings Langley printing company to back a national charity's mission.
Alpine Press has pledged to print Meningitis UK's resources for free in a move which could save the charity over £12,000 every year.
The gesture came after assistant production manager Zolly Loczy lost his daughter Milly to the disease in May, aged just four-and-a-half.
Maurice Grainger, Alpine Press' managing director, said: "When I heard the news I was absolutely devastated. Milly's death really shocked everyone here.
"We decided as a company that we wanted to help. It's a way of supporting Zolly and his family in their hour of need, while obviously saving Meningitis UK a great deal of money which they can now redirect to funding vaccine research work."
Zolly and his wife Nicci, from Berkhamsted, have set up a tribute fund in Milly's memory which has raised almost £5,000.
All money raised through their efforts, and saved thanks to Alpine Press' support, will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which aims to make £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B - the most common form of the disease in the UK.
Zolly said: "Milly went to school as normal, then at about 5pm she started to complain that her knee hurt.
"At 4.30am she woke up with a slight temperature so we took her to the hospital. They diagnosed her with a urine infection and sent us home.
"It was only once we got home that we noticed spots on her chest and rushed her back. Sadly there wasn't anything they could do to save her.
"We chose to support Meningitis UK because we feel a vaccine is the only way to prevent this horrible disease in the first place and save others.
"Everyone's support at work has been fantastic and it really means a lot to the whole family."
Milly died from meningococcal septicaemia, which occurs when bacteria enter the blood strain and multiply uncontrollably, poisoning the blood and completely overwhelming the immune system damaging the blood vessels, tissues and organs.
Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Alpine Press' offer of support has been a huge boost for the charity. It's an unprecedented gesture which means we will make an invaluable saving on the literature we print.
"The thousands of pounds we would normally have to spend can now be channeled directly into research projects which will take us ever closer to finding the life-saving vaccine that's so desperately needed.
"Sadly, what happened to Milly illustrates the speed at which meningitis can strike, with very few symptoms to distinguish the disease from more common illnesses.
"The devastation experienced by her family reinforces the importance of finding a vaccine sooner rather than later."
To give money in memory of Milly, please visit http://www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Milly Loczy.
For further information on meningitis, please visit http://www.meningitisuk.org or call 0117 3026195.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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