Some of the Blues wives are going to be walking the Great Wall of China to raise money for the Meningitis Trust.
Goalkeeper Colin Doyle’s baby son Liam contracted the disease aged just seven weeks last summer, and very nearly died. Becky, Colin’s wife, and 3 others will be tackling the wall together in March.
I have personal experience of this disease, because one of my daughters also contracted meningitis two years ago. Thankfully the symptoms were interpreted early and she was rushed to Exeter RD&E hospital who were fantastic. She was very ill for 24 hours, but thankfully because of the early diagnosis, wasn’t in danger. She has now made a full recovery. Liam’s survival was also due to swift diagnosis, although he is still on the road to recovery as it stands right now.
Becky told me that they chose the Great wall to walk because the Blues were in China when Colin was told of his son’s illness. Colin obviously left the tour to be with his family.
The Doyle’s aren’t the only ones who have suffered from this at Birmingham City. Becky told me that Liam Ridgewell’s daughter had also contracted the disease when she was very young. So it is understandable why Liam’s partner Kirsty is supportive of the walk. Becky will be joined by the wives of Matt Derbyshire and Stuart Parnaby Melissa and Paula respectively. They will also be joined by Hayley Gallagher, wife of Leicester City striker Paul Gallagher.
Paul’s brother very sadly died from the disease just a few months old, so there is a further personal connection for wanting to help.
Becky wanted to make the point about meningitis “When you speak to the Meningitis Trust, it is not just babies that get meningitis, it can affect anyone at any age, including people who are fit and healthy. It is about being able to identify the symptoms. We hope to raise awareness and to help people to spot the signs early, which hopefully will save lives.”
The walk will take place over a seven day period.
Day 1: Travel from the UK to Beijing.
Day 2: Meet the support team.
Day 3: Half day walk from Tiapingzhai to Huangyaguan.
Day 4: A full day walk along the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall.
Day 5: Another full day this time from Jinshanling to Simatai.
Day 6: Another full day, this time up the 1,000 steps of the Heavenly Ladder along the Mutinayu section.
Day 7: The final day, they will repair a watch tower in the Badaling section, then travel to Juyongguan for the final day’s walk.
After minimal costs all donations will go to the Meningitis Trust.
If you would like more information on Meningitis, please go the Meningitis Trust website.
If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please click on the donate button below and add the word “MENINGITIS” when you donate. We will then add it to the money that has already been donated to the cause by J&S.
There will also be a bucket collection for the cause at this weekend’s game v Stoke City.
Kev
(Thank you to BCFC for allowing me to use these images)
Good luck Ladies, were all Proud of you. KRO ( literally )
Great work, Ladies! It’s always helpful to put our footballing obsession into context from time to time. Enjoy the walk and may you and yours be healthy and happy.