Charity walkers from Bognor set for 323-mile trek

Meningitis UK's From the Bay to Bognor walkers arrive in the town on October 17.

Jackie and Ray Finch, who have backed the charity since their son Martin died of the disease, are organising a party to greet them.

They are urging people to join the last day of the walk, which stretches 17 miles from Havant to Bognor pier.

Bournemouth Carnival Band will greet walkers as they cross the finish line and refreshments are being provided at Bognor RAFA club.

Jackie, who works at Regis Petrol Station in North Bersted, said: "The walk will be a great day out and we hope as many people as possible will join in to support Meningitis UK.

"The charity has organised dozens of charity walks, but this is the first time it's come to Bognor, so we want to make sure all the walkers receive a warm welcome.

"It's a great way to raise awareness about the disease and to support vital vaccine research."

All money raised will go towards the charity's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which aims to raise 7m to help fund research into developing a vaccine against meningitis B.

It is the most common strain in the country, accounting for 90 per cent of cases.

Martin Finch, 14, died of meningitis C just two months before he was due to be given the vaccine in 1999.

His family have been dedicated fundraisers ever since, raising 100,000 through the Martin Finch Memorial Fund.

Steve Dayman, chief executive of Meningitis UK, is walking the whole route and hopes to be joined by more than 100 supporters along the way.

Steve, who lost his son Spencer to the disease, said: "We decided the walk should finish in Bognor this year because of the great support we receive in the area.

"We're all very grateful to Ray and Jackie, who have kindly offered to organise a mini celebration at the end.

"It would be great to have more walkers sign up and enjoy what should be a fun day.

"Just one mile would make a difference. People can also support us by sponsoring friends or making a donation.

"Every penny raised on this walk is so important in enabling us to continue our vital work and will take us one step closer to finding a vaccine and saving lives."

As the name suggests, the walk starts by a bay, at Morecambe on the Lancashire coast, and wends its way through Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire before arriving in Bognor.

Everyone taking part gets a free commemorative T-shirt, an information pack including tips on how to prepare and raise money, sponsorship forms and support from the charity's fundraising team.

For more information call Laura Murray on 0117 373 7373, email [email protected] or visit www.meningitisuk.org

What do you think? Send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click here to add yourself to our readers' map.