WEST SUSSEX COUNTY TIMES
Friday, November 14, 2008

Emily's brave battle inspires her old club to get fundraising

Emily Darbyshire with members of Horsham Life Saving Club
Who are raising funds for Meningitis UK

When members of Horsham Life Saving Club heard about a former member's battle with meningitis, they decided to turn their annual competition into a fundrasing event.

Emily Darbyshire is making a steady recovery after the diseas left her in intensive care for two months.
The 20-year old has since had to learn how to talk nd write again due to the after-effects of meningitis, encephalitis and septicaemia, whcih she contracted in September 2006.

David Slade, chairman of Horsham Life Saving Club, decided to fundraise when he heard about Emily's courageous battle.

Now members of the club, will be putting their skills to the test to raise money for Meningitis UK.

David who has been involved in life saving for more than 50 years, said: "Emily was a member for several years, as was her sister Charlotte".
"Many of the members remember them, so when I read about Emily's experience of meningitis, I felt we should do something to help raise awareness of the disease."

Some 35 youngsters, aged 13 to 18, are collecting sponsorship for the internal competition, in which they complete set pieces and respond to an emergency situation.

Emily is currently receving treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Foundation Brain Injury Centre in Banstead to help improve her mobility.
Her um. Gill, of Nightinggales Close, Horsham, said "The meningitis has effected Emily's mobility completely but she's now able to stand and to take small steps. She's learnt to talkand use her hands again, and has passed her geography -level.
"We're really touched that David and everyone at the life saving club have thought of Emily. It all helps to raise awareness of meningitis and what a dreadful disease it is, while generating vital funds to help find a vaccine."

All money raised by the life saving 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. This accounts for almost 90per cent of all cases and there is still no vaccine.

Meningitis UK's chief executive Steve Dayman said "We are really grateful to everyone at Horesham Life Saving Club for organising the challenge."
"Thankfully, Emily's making a good recovery but thousands of others are not so lucky, which is why we're focused on finding a vaccine and saving lives."

More info on the charity on 0117 373 7373 or at www.meningitisUK.org.