Backing for Meningitis walk

Nine-month-old Jamie Cowey sadly lost his young life to meningitis in November 2004. Emma and Darren Cowey, from Tullyally, have taken part in the walk every year since their son Jamie died in 2004, aged just nine-months-old.

He succumbed to the killer disease at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Halloween, less than 24 hours after the first symptoms developed. Since his death, family and friends have rallied round to raise almost £15,000 in his memory.

The couple will be joined by other Londonderry families whose lives have been shattered by meningitis and who are joining forces to help launch Meningitis UK’s final walk across Northern Ireland.

The charity’s Bordering on a Vaccine trek begins in Londonderry on May 28 and cover 201 miles across Northern Ireland’s coastline to raise vital funds towards vaccine research.

Meningitis UK’s chief executive Steve Dayman is being joined by four local families to urge locals to put their best foot forward for the cause by taking part in the first leg – an 18 mile stretch to Limavady.

Emma, 31, said: “A vaccine is the only way to protect people from meningitis and the devastation it causes, which is why we’re urging people to do their bit and support this final walk.

““Jamie’s death was like a bolt out of the blue, so we’re doing our upmost to raise as much money as possible to spare other families the heartache we’ve been through.”

The Crawford family from Killaloo had a nightmare ordeal when daughter Gemma was left unable to walk after falling ill with meningitis over Christmas in 2009, aged 16.

Thankfully the teenager made a full recovery and defied doctors’ predictions, being able to take part in the walk just five months later with 12 friends and family.

Gemma, now 19, said: “I spent 11 days in hospital, barely even able to move the left side of my body.

“When I first heard about the walk I thought there was no chance of me taking part. I was at home using a zimmer frame and wheelchair at the time, having just come out of hospital.

“I felt incredibly lucky to be able to take part especially as I know others haven’t made such a good recovery, which is why I want to help fund vaccine research.”

Gemma and her mum Valerie were joined at the launch by Catherine and Kenneth Dougherty from Londonderry, who feared the worst when their son Kenneth was fighting for his life in an isolation ward after contacting meningitis at the age of three.

He defied their worst fears and is now a strapping six foot tall teenager.

Catherine said: “I had never heard of meningitis back then and didn’t know what it was then. I just knew that he was a very sick wee boy.

“Thankfully we caught it just in time. He spent five days in hospital and made a good recovery. Having heard about other families’ experiences we’re just so grateful we didn’t lose him.”

Kenneth was diagnosed with the dangerous meningococcal septicaemia form of disease, which results in death in a fifth of cases.

Limavady couple Malcolm and Margaret McArthur sadly lost their 21-year-old son Alister in 1990 and have supported every walk since 1992 in the hope of finding a vaccine for the disease.

They’re hoping for a good turnout as the walk leaves the city for the final time.

Margaret said: “It took us over two years to come to terms with what happened to Alister and speaking to Steve really helped.

“We’ve been supporting his walks in Northern Ireland ever since and hope that this one will be a wonderful farewell for him.”

The aim is to raise £50,000 in total with all money raised going towards Meningitis UK’s vaccine research work to eradicate the deadly disease.

Mr Dayman, the founder of Meningitis UK, who lost his son Spencer to meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in 1982, will be walking the entire 201 mile route from May 28 to June 5.

He has now completed 30 marathon walks, including 10 in Northern Ireland.

After covering some 12,000 miles and raising over £1.8million, Steve is calling it a day and hopes for good local support as he completes his final trek across the country.

Steve said: “Last year we raised a staggering £40,000 and I was joined by over 100 supporters. We’re determined to beat that fantastic total, even in the current financial climate.

“We’ve always been well supported by people in Northern Ireland but I’m not getting any younger so this will unfortunately be the last Bordering on a Vaccine Walk.

“In addition to raising money towards our vital vaccine research work, we’re hoping to raise valuable awareness.

“Just one mile would make a difference and enable us to make a significant contribution to vaccine development, so please come and join us for any stage of this picturesque journey.”

Anyone can join the walk at any time and for any distance, starting in Londonderry and passing through Limavady, Portrush, Ballyvoy, Carnlough, Larne, Carrickfergus, Belfast, Newtownards, Strangford, Newcastle and Rostrevor.

See the Meningitis UK website for details of the route, which has been mapped online.

Everyone who takes part in the walk will receive a free commemorative T-shirt, an information pack including handy tips on how to prepare for the event and raise money, sponsorship forms and support from the charity’s fundraising team.

If you would like to take part in Meningitis UK’s Bordering on a Vaccine Walk, please call community fundraiser Emily Mitchard on 0117 373 73 73, email [email protected] or visit www.meningitisuk.org