On Thursday 21st June, I am setting off with six friends to cycle from London to Paris , a journey of approximately 200 miles.  

 

The challenge will be to reach Paris within 24 hours. Setting off at 7 pm from Trafalgar Square, we head to Newhaven for the 0130 ferry to Dieppe, hoping to grab some sleep and food on the four hour crossing. From Dieppe we have a further 130 miles before (hopefully) collapsing somewhere in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe. We have checked everywhere (with bike shops, cycling clubs and throughout the web) and do not believe anyone has yet undertaken this challenge. Our hopes are that it will become one of the 'classic' challenges in years to come.  

 

I am also doing this for a very good cause. A friend’s daughter, Ellie, daughter of Hugo and Lucy Vaux, died in July 2004 year aged six and a half. 

 

Having just completed her end of term concert at school, Ellie came down with what appeared to be a normal "sick bug", but it transpired later that she was suffering from the very rapid onset of Menengitis B.  Despite receiving excellent care in both York and Sheffield Hospitals , she died later that night - only a matter of hours after the onset of the illness. 

Menegitis B is carried via meningoccal bacteria.  It kills approximately 300 people per year in the UK.  It's symptoms are often difficult or near impossible to detect.  Antibiotic treatment is no guarantee of success and those who do survive may often be left with severe hearing impairment, brain damage or require amputations.  A vaccine for Menengitis C has recently been made widely available with the immediate effect of eradicating that form of the disease.  There are also plans to introduce an injection, already available in the , which will help to prevent pneumoccocal illnesses which range from ear infections to pneumoccocal meningitis.  However, a vaccince for the significantly larger killer, Menengitis B, is still some way off.   

Prior to her funeral, the Vaux family decided to set up a fund in Ellie’s memory. After a lot of research they are now channeling all funds via the Meningitis Research Foundation specifically towards the development of a vaccine such that children may in the future be protected from this vicious disease.  Progress is now being made and trials are underway but funds are still urgently required to further the ongoing development of this vaccine.  

Please give generously.  

   

Many many thanks.

Martin 

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Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Meningitis Research Foundation will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.