MARATHON walking charity boss Steve Dayman has completed his latest challenge to raise an impressive £40,000 in nine days.

The chief executive of Meningitis UK walked 201 miles around the coast of Northern Ireland to amass vital funds for the charity’s vaccine research work.

Steve, from Alveston, has now completed 31 marathon walks which have raised more than £1.9million.

He has been campaigning for better awareness and research into meningitis since his son Spencer died from meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in 1982, aged just 14 months.

He said: "The walk in Northern Ireland was exhausting but worth it to raise £40,000.

"I never expected to walk so far over the years, in fact my last walk was due to be in 1998 but they proved to be such a good way to raise money and awareness that I kept going."

The latest Bordering on a Vaccine Walk, from Londonderry to Rostrevor in nine days, attracted over 100 of the charity’s supporters, many of whom have also experienced the devastation of meningitis.

Now, having walked the equivalent of almost halfway round the world, Steve has decided that this will be his final year of walking before hanging up his trainers.

His final walk will take place in October, with a 328 mile walk from Gateshead to Bristol in 16 days.

Steve said: "I’m hopeful that it will raise a further £50,000, which would mean the charity walks have raised almost £2million over the last 20 years.

"This is a great testament to everyone involved. I wouldn’t have been able to walk so far without being spurred on by such dedicated supporters, many of whom have also lost loved ones to meningitis."

Steve’s next walk will be Meningitis UK’s more leisurely Summer Stroll, which stretches 13 miles from Keynsham to Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol this Saturday, June 18.

For more information on Meningitis UK or the Summer Stroll call Laura Bullock on 0117 373 7373, e-mail laurabullock@meningitisUK.org or visit www.meningitisuk.org/summerstroll