Meningitis UK steps closer to a vaccine as Northern Ireland Spring Walk smashes target
Due to the generosity of people in Northern Ireland Meningitis UK's 165-mile Northern Ireland Spring Walk raised a massive £30,000, totally exceeding its target of £20,000. The walk started in Londonderry and passed through Limavady, Coleraine, Portglenone, Antrim, Belfast, Newtownards and Downpatrick before finishing in Newry on Saturday.
Steve Dayman, Meningitis UK's Chief Executive walked the entire route and was joined by over 70 supporters at various stages, many of whom have experienced the devastation that meningitis causes. Steve said "I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people we met along the route and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has helped us raise a fantastic £30,000. It was a wonderful eight days as Northern Ireland has some of the most beautiful countryside. Every one of our supporters who took part thoroughly enjoyed it and many asked if they could take part again next year - therefore we shall be repeating this event in May 2008."
The money raised will go towards supporting Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which was launched in April this year. The campaign aims to raise £7 million over the next seven years to help fund vital research to develop a vaccine against meningococcal Group B - the most common form of meningitis in the UK, which accounts for almost 90% of all cases and for which there is currently no vaccine.
Emma and Darren Cowey, lost their 9-month-old son Jamie in November 2004 to meningitis and walked 18 miles on the first day of the walk. Darren said "The consequences of meningitis are heartbreaking and we must find a vaccine to stop the suffering it causes and save innocent lives. If this vaccine had been developed our son would be with us today."
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
