Plight of brave Emily inspires club fundraisers
WEST SUSSEX COUNTY TIMES
Friday, January 16, 2009
Plight of brave Emily inspires club fundraisers
Members of Horsham Life Saving Club raised £1,124 towards eradicating meningitis - the devastating brain bug which hit one of its former members.
More than 30 youngsters pushed themselves to the limit in an unusual fundraiser which involved them competing in their annual internal competition and collecting sponsorship.
The club was inspired to raise money for Meningitis UK after former member Emily Darbyshire, 20, contracted meningitis encephalitis and septicaemia in September 2006.
The disease left her in intensive care for two months but she's making a steady recovery, having since learned how to talk and write again.
A cheque was presented to Kate Rowland, the charity's head of development, at the clubs annual presentation evening on January 8th, where Emily and her family were guests.
David Slade, Chairman of Horsham Lifesaving Club said:
"It was great to have Emily there. When her dad gave a small speech at the end, it brought tears to a few eyes. He explained how desperate Emily's situation was only four hours after starting to feel ill.
Everyone at the club really made a huge effort to raise so much money. We realised how important the fundraising was but that it was a drop in the ocean compared with what Emily has been through."
Emily is currently receiving treatment at The Queen Elizabeth Foundation Brain Injury Centre in Banstead to help improve her mobility.
He mum, Gill, of Nightingales Close, said:
"The meningitis has affected Emily's mobility completely but she's now able to stand and take small steps. She's learned to talk and use her hands again, and has passed her geography A-level.
We are so touched that David and everyone at the lifesaving club thought of Emily. They've raised a fantastic amount of money, which will go towards finding a vaccine to hopefully eradicate the disease completely."
Around 35 members, aged 13 to 18, meet at The Pavilions in the Park swimming pool each week and took part in the internal competition, which saw them complete set pieces and respond to an emergency situation. A raffle was also held at the presentation evening.
Presentations were undertaken by John Bailey, Chairman of Horsham District Council, Emily herself, John Stainer, President of Sussex Branch RLSS and manager of the GB Lifesaving Team, and the closing address was given by Tim Bolton, of DC Leisure, Contacts Manager at the Pavilions for HDC.
All money raised by the lifesaving club will go towards Meningitis UK's ‘Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign' which aims to raise £7m to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B - the most common form of meningitis in the UK, accounting for almost 90 percent of cases.
Kate Rowland added "It was really heartening to meet everyone and hear about their efforts in tribute to Emily. To raise more than £1000 is brilliant and we're really grateful to the club for organising the challenge."