Blackburn family's fund-raising in memory of Eva

2:13pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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THE FAMILY of a two-year-old girl who died after developing meningitis have organised a sponsored walk to raise money in her memory.

The Eva Heeks Memorial Walk, on Sunday, May 18 is the third to be organised by Eva's parents Julie and Ray from Guide in Blackburn.

Eva contracted meningitis at six days old which left her deaf, blind and unable to walk, talk or breathe on her own.

Money raised from the walk will be given to Derian House Children's Hospice, Chorley, which cared for Eva before her death in December 2004.

The walk will start at Derian House at 10am and will follow the route of the Leeds and Liverpool canal to Blackburn, ending at the Fernhurst Hotel, where stalls will be set out to count up numbers.

In previous years the walks have raised in the region of £5,000 on each occasion, and have attracted more than 100 walkers in fancy dress.

Mr Heeks hopes to invite a local celebrity to the walk this year, and will be taking a collection box around local pubs before the walk for people who do not want to take part.

He said: "The important thing is not the amount of walkers taking part but that the message about meningitus and the work places like Derian House do is spread."

The Eva Heeks Trust also has a small amount of money available for terminally ill children in the Lancashire area to pay for specialist equipment and toys.

Mr Heeks said: "When we needed things for Eva we ended up getting a lot of funding from charitable organisations because money from social services took too long.

"For example, we ordered a chair and by the time we got it, Eva had outgrown it.

"The money can go to anything - it can be a little toy or for essential equipment - but it will be instant.

"Terminally ill children need things straight away. Even if they only get to use it for one day, it is worth it."

The trust is also working with parents groups throughout East Lancashire to highlight the importance of childhood innoculations against meninigitis.

Sponsor forms for the walk and information about The Eva Heeks Trust are available by ringing 01254 583767.