ALVESTON marathon man Steve Dayman completed his 15th gruelling walk on Sunday, May 9 - raising a further £15,000 for the battle against meningitis.

The seven day, 140 mile march linked the charity's offices in Downend with the two research centres the charity is currently funding at Oxford University and London's Imperial College.

"The response we received from the general public was tremendous," said Steve operations officers for the Spencer Dayman Meningitis Laboratories charity.

"On the first day we walked from Bristol, through Yate and Chipping Sodbury to Yatton Keynell, near Chippenham, collecting more than £1,200 in bucket collections alone.

"The driving force behind this charity continues to be our friends and supporters countrywide, many of whom have experienced the devastation this terrible disease can cause. Without their help and the support from the local people who supported us along the route, we would not have been able to raise this wonderful amount of money which will be used to fund vital research".

More than 7,000 awareness cards were handed out by the walkers during the course of the walk, he said.

Nicola Fisher, the charity's communications officer, said meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia were devastating diseases which could strike with little or no warning and could result in death or permanent disability.

"Early detection and treatment could mean the difference between life and death," she said. "Therefore it's essential that everyone is aware of the common symptoms meningitis and those that may exist with meningococcal septicaemia".

She said that despite the success of the Meningitis C vaccine - introduced into the Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme in 1999 - it did not protect against all forms of the disease, including the most common form, Meningitis Group B.

From September 18 to October 23, Steve will be on the road again for a mammoth walk from Peterhead in Scotland to Lyme Regis in Dorset.

The walk - 770 miles over 36 days - will pass through towns and villages spelling out Pneumococcal - the condition that causes the most serious form of meningitis Steve who lost his toddler son Spencer to meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in 1982, said: "From the two walks we are hope to raise many thousands of pounds which will be used to support our vital work."

For a further details about the charity or to make a donation, contact Spencer Dayman Meningitis UK on 0117 373 73 73, email information@spencerdayman.org.uk or log onto their website at www.spencerdayman.org.uk