Dungiven family raise thousands for charity

Maria and Vincent Bradley have been raising money for Meningitis Research Foundation and Royal Victoria Hospital’s Paediatric Care Unit following their son, Padraig’s recovery.

Padraig was diagnosed with a strain of meningitis B on 22nd February 2016.

He was just three months old.

The quick response of the doctors at Altnagelvin Hospital saved Padraig’s life and he was transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital to receive specialist care.

The staff at the Paediatric Care Unit fought to keep Padraig alive and reduce any risk to his limbs.

The family endured a difficult few weeks, however, Padraig was released from hospital.

At one year old, Padraig appears to have made a full recovery – the family are yet to see any ill effects from the meningitis.

Meningitis Research Foundation estimates that there are around 3,200 cases of meningitis and septicaemia every year in the UK.

As many as one in ten of those affected will die and a third of survivors will be left with after-effects.

The foundation has invested over £18.6 million in research projects, making significant advances both in awareness of meningitis and septicaemia and the development of vaccines.

Since Padraig’s recovery, Maria and Vincent have been involved in fundraising events for Meningitis Research Foundation and have also petitioned local businesses to donate to the charity.

They presented the foundation with a cheque for £2000 on Friday 9th December 2016.

The funds raised will contribute to the work of the foundation to see a world free from meningitis and septicaemia, said a spokesperson.