Family of totin last march

FRIENDS and family of Jamie Cowey - a toddler from Tullyally who died from meningitis at just nine-months-old in 2004 will be among the 50 starters of a poignant charity walk from Londonderry on Saturday.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th May 2011, 10:55 BST

Killaloo meningitis survivor Gemma Crawford, aged 19, and her family will also be putting their best feet forward as Meningitis UK’s annual Bordering on a Vaccine walk sets off from the city for the last time.

The trek covers 201 miles in total across Northern Ireland’s coastline in nine days, aiming to raise over £50,000.

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Jamie Cowey’s parents Emma and Darren have gathered a group of 25 people to take part in the first 18 mile leg of the walk to Limavady.

They will be joining other supporters and the charity’s Chief Executive Steve Dayman, who is walking the entire route.

Emma said: “This will be our fifth walk and we cannot wait, although I’m dreading it at the same time because of the agony I felt after it last year.

“I had to stop just half a mile from the end, so this year I’m determined to make it all the way to Limavady.

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“It makes you appreciate what Steve does - walking the whole 201 miles is such a phenomenal effort. He’s the most dedicated man I’ve ever met.

“Every year we’re driven by the need to find this vaccine to protect people in the future. When Jamie died it was so sudden and so awful. Fundraising has really helped by giving us something positive to focus on.”

The Crawford family from Killaloo will also be putting their best foot forward for Meningitis UK.

Gemma was left unable to walk after falling ill with meningitis over Christmas in 2009, aged 16, but made a full recovery and defied doctors’ predictions, being able to take part in the Bordering on a Vaccine walk just five months later.

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Gemma, now 19, said: “This will be my third walk and we’ve enjoyed it every year. After what happened I wanted to help find a vaccine to stop other people going through what I did.

“It was an awful time. In total I spent 11 days in hospital, barely even able to move the left side of my body.

“Even when I was allowed home I had to use a zimmer frame and wheelchair so to be able to take part in these walks is a miracle.”

Steve 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.

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He has now completed 30 marathon walks, including 10 in Northern Ireland. To make a donation towards Meningitis UK’s Bordering on a Vaccine walk, or for more information on the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, call Emily Mitchard on 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisuk.org