Sweethearts will walk to fight meningitis

3:34pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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A COUPLE who fell in love on a charity fundraising trek have put on their walking shoes once again in memory of their friend's son who died six years ago.

Karen Slingsby and Chris Brierley, from Birchwood, walked 18 miles from Blackpool to Preston on May 3 for the first leg of Meningitis UK's Walk of Roses.

“This walk is a chance for us to raise money for Meningitis UK to try to help stop other families experiencing the devastation, heartache and suffering that meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia can cause.”

Karen Slingsby, a teaching assistant at the Bruche school

The 157-mile Walk of Roses set off from Blackpool on Saturday and passes through Preston, Burnley, Addingham, Wetherby, Selby, Market Weighton and Driffield before ending in Bridlington on Saturday.

Speaking before the walk, Karen said: "We are really looking forward to the walk because meningitis has touched our lives in so many ways and it is wonderful to be doing something positive to try and combat it."

Karen and Chris completed the walk in memory of Richard Murphy, the son of Bruche Community Primary School's former headteacher Cathy Murphy, who died in 2002 at the age of 19 from meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

The long-term friends' love blossomed when they trained together for the 85 Hadrian's Wall Walk, which they undertook in aid of the charity in 2006.

Karen, a teaching assistant at the Bruche school, added: "We have so many reasons to take part in this walk because we know so many people who have been touched by meningitis, including my parents' friends and family and friends at work.

"This walk is a chance for us to raise money for Meningitis UK to try to help stop other families experiencing the devastation, heartache and suffering that meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia can cause."

Meningitis UK executives joined in the walk, which will raise the awareness of the disease by handing out wallet-sized symptom cards.

To make a donation towards Meningitis UK's Walk of Roses call 0117 373 73 73.