It was with Joy, shock and then despair when we were advised that our baby boy - who was born on the 10th of March - had been infected with an aggressive type of Meningitis after the first 24 hours of his life. After 48 hours we were briefed by Hospital consultants as per which type of bacterial meningitis it was (Group B Strep or GBS), and his chances of making a full recovery. 

These chances were decreasing so much that they had to make us aware of his very limited chances of clinging on to life and he died amidst great sadness on the evening of the 13th of March.

We are slowly coming to terms with his loss and can be thankful that Billy suffered no pain, was in excellent hands within the NHS and that we can pin no blame or resentment toward what has happened.

Group B Strep (GBS) is a bacterium commonly found in approximately 25% of humans. Normally harmless, it can be passed to newborn babies around birth, and for the relatively small number of babies who develop GBS infection, it can be very serious.

The Group B Strep Support Charity (GBSS) is a UK charity, originally founded in 1996. Their three main aims are to:

Offer information and support to families affected by group B Streptococcus; Inform health professionals and individuals how most group B Strep infections in newborn babies can be prevented; and generate continued support for research into preventing group B Strep infections in newborn babies.

I am planning a 3 day event to cycle from my Fiancée’s home town in Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) to our present home in Blagdon, Somerset. The total distance will be 223.1 miles. I'll be doing this on the weekend of the 29th August 2014. This will be to raise money in Billy's memory for GBSS, which needs sponsorship and your donations to continue to spread its message, which will be of benefit to many families including ours. 

I will be more than happy if anyone would like to cycle stage 1, 2, 3 or all 3 with me, as they may be better for some of you location wise. It would be great to get extra people involved to boost (potentially doubling) donations. 

The future Mrs Bradshaw-Pegg (FMP - Ursula) will be driving in the support vehicle (Broom Wagon) – please email me on tom.l.pegg@gmail.com if you want to help with your accompaniment.

Another plan is to have a party / event at the end of the ride in Blagdon - this is TBC though local Ale / Cider will be needed after that mileage!

The following is my preliminary plan for the route though this is subject to change. If you would like to support and stay over with us that would be awesome, I will need to get the reservations in though – please note that this is the weekend after the August Bank Holiday. I have done this deliberately as most people have BH’s pre-planned years in advance.  

Day 1 Friday 29 August

Bury St Edmunds to YHA Lee Valley Country Park (Cheshunt) via Haverhill and Bishops Stortford – 62.9 miles approx

Day 2 Saturday 30 August

Cheshunt to Hungerford (The Swan Inn) via Wembley, Windsor, Tilehurst and Aldermaston – 87.1 miles approx

Day 3 Sunday 31 August

Hungerford to Blagdon via Melksham and Bath – 73.1 miles approx

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.