Families step out for Big Stroll North East

FAMILIES devastated by meningitis stepped out in support of life-saving vaccine research on a new walk through the North York Moors.

Meningitis UK’s Big Stroll for the North East, which started in Osmotherley on Saturday afternoon, brought together more than 50 people, many of whom had lost loved-ones to the disease.

Terry and Sue Laing from Stockton who sadly lost their daughter Helen to meningitis aged 24 are supporting Meningitis UK to take over the route they previously used for ‘Helen’s Walk’ since 2001.

After raising £90,000 for Meningitis UK from the walk in memory of their beloved daughter, they have handed it over to the charity as part of its four UK Big Stroll events starting this summer.

Nursery nurse Helen – a former pupil of Ian Ramsey School in Stockton – contracted meningococcal septicaemia and was taken to North Tees’ University Hospital where she was kept on life support machine for five days before she died.

Terry said: “Everyone’s support of Helen’s walk over the years was unbelievable and beyond our wildest expectations. Although we will not be running this walk any longer, we are delighted to be supporting Meningitis UK’s Big Stroll for the North East and we really hope it raises a lot of money and vital awareness of the disease.”

They will be joined by Chris and Jane Jackson from Easingwold near York who lost their 10-year-old daughter Sammi to meningitis in 1995.

Jane said: “We’re supporting the Big Stroll because I want to do as much as possible to help raise awareness of this disease and to rally people to join the walk.

“The more we can do, the better. People are still dying from meningitis and we don’t want what happened to Sammi to happen to anyone else.”

The five-and-a-half-mile walk started in the picturesque village of Osmotherley, with its teashop and historic pubs, before taking in heather-strewn moorland, secluded woodland, a delightful lake and narrow country lanes.

Highlights included the peaceful atmosphere of Cod Beck Reservoir and Oakdale Reservoir and some stunning views across the Yorkshire countryside.

Meningitis UK founder-director Steve Dayman said: “We are so grateful for everyone who got behind this walk. Sadly the loss of Helen and Sammi illustrates the devastation this cruel disease can cause. Everyday we work with people left picking up the pieces after losing a loved one to this cruel disease.

“Meningitis can affect anyone, of any age. It can strike within four hours and is notoriously difficult to detect which is why Meningitis UK is solely focused on developing preventative vaccines to protect future generations.

“People in the North East have always supported us with warmth and generosity and this has been demonstrated again in the way they have got behind the Big Stroll to help us achieve our ultimate goal of finding vaccines to save lives.”

The Big Stroll North East, is one of four Meningitis UK walks, and people still have the chance to take part in scenic walks in the South West and a choice of two in Northern Ireland this summer.

For more information about Meningitis UK’s Search 4 A Vaccine Campaign or to donate to the charity, please call 0117 947 6320 or visit: www.meningitisuk.org/bigstroll