In Loving Memory of Edward Fitzpatrick (1960-1999)

March 15th 2023 marked the 24th anniversary of my wonderful husband Edward, who passed away very suddenly at the age of just 38 from meningococcal septicaemia. In memory of Edward, I am walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain from April 14th-21st to raise vital funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF). 

On Mother's Day in 1999, myself, Edward and our 3 children (Niamh aged 7, Aisling aged 4 and Ronan aged 4 months at the time) had been out for dinner. On the way home, Edward began to feel unwell and he thought he might be coming down with a flu. When we got home, his temperature was high and he began to be sick. I called the doctor who suggested it was a kidney infection or food poisoning, but decided it was best to get checked in hospital as he risked becoming dehydrated from the severe sickness. 

At the hospital, the team managed to lower his temperature and Edward stopped vomiting. The following morning, I called the hospital to check on Edward before visiting and I was assured he was fine. Shortly after, things took a turn for the very worst. When I arrived at the hospital, I was told Edward had meningococcal septicaemia. He was put on antibiotics and we got to see him for a brief moment. Only 3 hours later, Edward sadly passed away. 

Edward was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was also a great friend to all who knew him. In his 38 short years Edward achieved so much, especially as a horse trainer - a job he was so skilled and passionate about. Meningitis and septicaemia can affect anyone at any time. I want to raise as much money as possible for MRF to help prevent other families from experiencing the devastation that our family has felt every day for the last 24 years. I am so thankful in advance for your support. Please donate, if you can, and please share this JustGiving page to as many people as possible to help us reach our target. 

Thank you,

Margaret