Family and friends of 6-year-old Taylor Filby, an Essex youngster fighting back from meningitis, will join him for a sponsored walk to raise awareness of the disease and funds to help fight it
Taylor, who is 7 on 14 August, and his mum Sophia, 26, from Goldhanger in Maldon have organised the five mile walk to support our work.
Over 150 people have been invited to take part in the event through Facebook, but everybody is welcome to go along.
The walk starts at 11am on Tuesday 25 August from Goldhanger Park and goes to Osea Leisure Park, via the Seawall, before returning along the same route.
Everybody’s welcome
“Everybody’s welcome to come along for a nice walk in the fresh air with us – there are some beautiful views along the way – and learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of meningitis and take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones,” Sophia said.
Families joining in should bring a packed lunch for a picnic on the beach half way round and all children taking part will receive a balloon, medal, activity sheet and flag.
Mobile and salon based hairdresser Sophia is already donating £3 from every customer she sees to us to help our fight to eradicate the disease that Taylor contracted as a baby.
“We are so lucky and extremely happy that Taylor is alive and well and has survived meningitis”, Sophia said. “He still suffers from the after-effects of meningitis, such as learning difficulties, concentration and memory issues.”
“I really want to raise awareness of meningitis and its after-effects and help to donate as much as I can, to help the charity with its research and help other parents and children.”
Fighting for his life
Taylor was left fighting for his life when he was born in St John’s Hospital in Chelmsford in August 2008.
“Midwives rushed him off, saying he needed to see a doctor quickly” Sophia said. “After an hour they took me to the neonatal ward – my baby was puffed out all over his body with tubes everywhere – hands, feet, belly button, a vent helping him breathe.”
“Doctors told me to prepare for the worst. They tried for over 12 hours to get him stable; he was fighting for his life.”
Thanks to our support and one-to-one teaching at Taylor’s new school he is now making progress in school and life.
“Taylor is my miracle”, Sophia added, “every birthday is a reminder of how amazing my son really is.”
If you can’t make the walk but would like to donate you can do so at their JustGiving page
