Join the Toddle Waddle and help the fight against meningitis

The Toddle Waddle event for children up to the age of six will help raise funds for The Meningitis Trust.

Organiser Kelly Roulston, 28, from Newtownabbey, hopes to get as many people involved as possible.

Kelly said: “My friend Carley Malin lost her son Zach to meningitis two years ago at the age of only six months and ten days. Carley has raised so much awareness and is bravely doing an abseil down the Europa Hotel this weekend. She has also set up a tribute page in memory of Zach - www.meningitis-trust.tributefunds/fund/zach+moore.

“I am not as brave as Carley, but I would still like to help raise money and awareness while keeping my feet firmly on the ground.”

Research shows that as many as 13,900 people living in Northern Ireland have had either viral or bacterial meningitis.

The Trust's ongoing work helps people living with the after-effects of the disease which can include brain damage, loss of hearing, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and where septicaemia has occurred, loss of limbs.

Services provided by The Meningitis Trust include hospital and home visiting, family fun days, professional counselling and therapy, a 24-hour helpline and financial support grants.

For more information about the Toddle Waddle or to register to take part, email Kelly at [email protected]

Meanwhile, Carley is getting ready for her big abseil challenge in aid of The Meningitis Trust this Sunday (March 14).

“I am doing this in memory of Zach instead of having a memorial service for him this year. Ironically, it’s being done on Mothering Sunday, which makes it even more poignant for me,” she explained.

Contributions to Carley’s latest fundraising campaign can be made online at https://meningitis-trust.tributefunds.com/fund/Europa+Abseil/showFund