News & events

Steve walks his way to £1.8million

09.06.10

INSPIRATIONAL charity boss Steve Dayman has just walked his 12,000th mile in memory of his son.

The chief executive of Meningitis UK, who is from Alveston, passed the milestone during a 201 mile trek across Northern Ireland.

It's the equivalent of almost halfway round the world and takes the amount of money raised through marathon walks alone to £1.8million.

Steve's been campaigning for better awareness and research into meningitis since his son Spencer died from meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in 1982, aged just 14-months.

His first walk was in 1992, from Londonderry to London and there have been 29 since then.

The latest Bordering on a Vaccine Walk, from Derry to Rostrevor in nine days, raised over £40,000 towards vital vaccine research.

He was joined by hundreds of supporters, many of whom have also experienced the devastation of meningitis, as they stepped out to help beat the deadly disease.

Steve said: "I never expected to walk so far over the years, in fact my last walk was due to be in 1998 but they proved to be such a good way to raise money and awareness that I kept going.

"I've been spurred on by a constant need for further research to fund new vaccines, although I recognise that I'm now in the twilight of my walking career.

"My final walk will probably be next year when hopefully I will have raised £2million through walks alone towards the ultimate goal of eradicating bacterial meningitis altogether.

"I'm joined on the walks at various stages by many families who have experienced the devastation that meningitis causes. It's been a great source of comfort for them to be involved and without their support we wouldn't be able to raise such significant amounts of money."

Steve's next walk will be Meningitis UK's more leisurely Summer Stroll, which stretches 13 miles from Keynsham to Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol on Saturday, June 19.

The charity's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7million to help fund research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B - the most common form of the disease in this country.

For further information on meningitis or to find out how to get involved, visit www.meningitisuk.org or call 0117 373 73 73.