Summer Memories Walk raises £4,000 4 Meningitis
On Sunday 8th July, over 150 walkers from the local area gathered together in the beautiful Derwent Country Park in Swalwell to take part in the ‘Summer Memories' walk in memory of Lisa Richardson, Nick Walton and Charmaine Duxfield who all tragically died of meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in their teens.
The 5-mile walk was organised by Brian and Linda Richardson from Swalwell - the parents of Lisa, Sandra and Bill from Washington - the parents of Nick, and Charmaine's parents - Lynn and Alex Duxfield from Lemington, in a bid to raise life-saving funds for Meningitis UK.
Sandra Walton from Washington who lost her son Nick to meningococcal septicaemia in October last year when he was just 17 years-old said, "I was overwhelmed by the response to the walk and although it was quite emotional, it was also very positive and we raised over £4,000 towards finding a vaccine to eradicate Meningitis B, which we are incredibly pleased about."
Lisa's father, Brian Richardson from Swalwell, who lost his daughter aged 19 in November 2003 said, "Everyone I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was an extremely warm day so the water supplied by Northumbrian Water and the Irn-Bru from Barr Soft Drinks in Newcastle was really appreciated. We are also very grateful to the countrywide wardens for allowing the walk to take place.
"Due to the success of this year's event, we plan to repeat it again next year and plans are already underway, which we are very excited about."
Charmaine's mother Lynn Duxfield from Lemington who lost her 16 year-old daughter in November 2006 said "It was extremely helpful for my family and I personally to see so many of Charmaine's friends supporting the event. We know only too well how important it is to raise funds to support Meningitis UK in their search for a vaccine to eradicate the disease and put a stop to the devastation it causes."
All the proceeds from the walk will go towards supporting Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which aims to raise £7 million in the next seven years to help fund vital research to find a vaccine to eradicate Meningitis B, which tragically took the lives of Lisa, Nick and Charmaine and for which there is still no vaccine even though it remains the most common form of meningitis in the UK.
The walk also raised awareness of the common symptoms of the disease and need to act quickly, which until a vaccine is found, can mean the difference between life and death.
If anyone would like to make a donation to support the Summer Memories walk and the families in their mission to raise money for Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, please phone 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
