Rocking out at Jamie's night

Tickets are still available for Jamie's Night, which taking place this Saturday (July 3) at the Gransha Social Club, with all proceeds going towards Meningitis UK and its vaccine research work.

Jamie was just nine-months-old when he died in 2004 from the deadly brain bug.

His parents Emma and Darren have been dedicated fundraisers for the charity ever since and have now raised almost 13,000.

Emma, 30, says everyone's welcome to come to Jamie's Night, where there will be live music from Dale Thomas and his band, who will be playing music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

There will also be a raffle, with the top prize of a gas barbeque, followed by a DJ who will be playing until late.

Tullyally Colts and Lisahally will be competing for the Jamie Cowey Perpetual Cup during the day, with Meningitis UK's chief executive Steve Dayman presenting the winning team their well-earned cup during the evening.

Emma, who will be dressing up as a character from Grease, said: "The Gransha social club's a gorgeous venue as it's recently been refurbished and has a big dance floor.

"It can hold 300 people but I'm aiming for between 200 and 250. It's 'dress up if you fancy' so people can wear what they like. The most important thing is to have fun.

"We held Jamie's Night back in 2005, fairly soon after he died and it was an amazing night. Saturday's going to be just as good and we hope everyone will lend their support to a good cause."

Proceeds

All proceeds from the football match and Jamie's Night will help raise money for Meningitis UK and its goal to find a vaccine for Meningitis B - the strain of the disease which killed Jamie.

He succumbed to the killer disease at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Halloween, less than 24 hours after the first symptoms developed.

The speed at which he died, and with very few symptoms to distinguish the disease from more common illnesses, has made Emma and Darren determined to play their part in saving lives in the future.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Emma and Darren have gone to a fantastic amount of effort and Jamie's Night sounds like it will be great fun.

"Hopefully everyone will get behind them and lend the event their support. Every penny raised will go towards our single focus – to find a vaccine to eradicate meningitis and save thousands of lives in the future."

The football match kicks off at 1pm at the Gransha football ground. Then doors open at 7.30pm for Jamie's Night. Tickets for the night cost 6 and are available from Darren on 07821 055700.