Flipping good fundraising idea (From Western Telegraph)

Flipping good fundraising idea

10:29am Monday 11th February 2013 in News

To raise awareness of a lifethreatening illness, a Milford Haven pub has organised a Pancake Day fun run for tomorrow (Tuesday).

Sally Allen and David Blackhall, who run the Trafalgar pub in Charles Street, will hold the run on February 12th, in aid of Meningitis UK.

The duo decided to organise the event to help local charity Friends at Precelly Place, which was set up as a tribute to Pembrokeshire College student Hannah Gwilliam who died of meningitis last year.

David, whose brother Darren was left partially deaf and blind after contracting the disease as a child, said: “We really wanted to help in some way. Meningitis is something that so many families in Pembrokeshire have been affected by. And as a parent, there’s always something in the back of your mind when your child becomes ill.

“If we can do something to help them find a vaccine, then that’s fantastic. We’re just doing our little bit.”

Sally, who overcame streptococcal meningitis two years ago, said that the illness had been prevalent in her own family.

Her uncle Neil Armstrong, whose eight-year-old son Macauley Chapman contracted meningitis last year, said: “Macauley became ill overnight, he had a high temperature and a rash, and he was taken straight to hospital where he stayed for four days.

“It was a scary time, and I would never wish any parent to go through something like that.”

He added: “I think what Sally and Dave have organised is brilliant, and one step forward to helping such an important charity.

I cannot thank them enough.”

The fun run route will take runners along Charles Street, down Haven Hill, onto Hamilton Terrace, along North Road and back down Charles Street. Pancakes will be provided on the day, but runners are asked to bring their own frying pans to run with.

David added: “You can run, crawl, walk or hop. It doesn’t matter, it’s all about taking part and bringing the community together.

“When meningitis affects people so close to you, you realise just how serious it is. It’s never too far away from your own door.”

Anyone who wants to take part should meet at the Trafalgar pub at 5.30pm.

Sponsorship forms are available at the pub, or by calling David on 07531 952910.