Steve Dayman MBE

A NINE-day meningitis awareness campaign was launched at the Asda store in Wisbech on Tuesday, when the man who founded the charity Meningitis UK visited the premises.

Meningitis UK with help from Asda staff, will launch an awareness drive at Asda. Left: Coral Cox Asda community life champion. and Gavin Hunter, people services manager.

Steve Dayman MBE, who lost his 14-month-old son Spencer to meningitis and septicaemia 30 years ago, brought the charity’s giant awareness trailer to the supermarket’s car park, where it will stay until Thursday March 21.

Mr Dayman said: “The awareness trailer tour is a massive part of our campaign to spread awareness of the deadly disease.

“Our main focus is to fund vaccine research to wipe out all forms of meningitis, but until that day we believe spreading awareness is the difference between life and death. I hope people will come down and learn a bit more about meningitis.”

Community life champion at the store, Coral Cox, said: “We are encouraging people to come into our car park and take a look at the trailer, that has lots of information on it. It is something we need to get behind, there is a great need for people to recognise the early signs of this deadly disease.”

Meningitis UK is one of three charities that Asda customers can vote for this month as they shop. The top charity will receive £200 from Asda, and the runners up will be given £50.

For more information on Meningitis UK, the disease, to donate or for a free symptoms pack, call 0117 947 6320 or visit www.meningitisUK.org