Our supporter Julie Fleming has been pulling out all the stops to reach £30,000 to go towards our ongoing work through her daughter Jessica’s Forever Fund through a range of fundraising events themed around the figure 30.
And we’re thrilled to say she has smashed through her fundraising target in time for Jessica’s birthday on 7 October through a combination of walking three million steps, losing 30lbs in weight and the kind donations of family and friends.
Beautiful blue-eyed daughter
Julie told us: “Jessica was my first born, my beautiful blue-eyed daughter. Late one Thursday night in February 1996 when she was 16-months-old I thought she was teething, so gave her Calpol and went to bed.
“I woke early, before 6am, and she was grey and not very responsive. I called 999 and we were taken to Catterick military cottage hospital. There was one doctor and one nurse and they did what they could.
“The emergency team from Leeds Hospital was called, from 66 miles away so it was a long wait and a long journey. With no room in the ambulance her dad and me had to travel in a police car, not knowing if she would survive the journey.
Strong courageous girl
“My strong courageous girl died. That was Friday 9 February 1996. She fought well, but on the Sunday afternoon, 11 February, I had to say goodbye, kissed her night night and made that terrible decision to turn off her life support.”
Whilst spending those three days in Leeds intensive care unit Julie was handed an information leaflet all about meningitis. On the back was the full name, address and phone number for Meningitis Now (formerly the Meningitis Trust) so she carried that leaflet everywhere and did everything possible to raise awareness.
And with awareness raising came fundraising.
Fundraising activity
Julie added: “I have dressed as Monty the Duck (the mascot of the Meningitis Trust, remember him?) and zip wired across the river Lagan and abseiled down the tallest building in Belfast, ran the Great North Run, and held countless tombola, raffles and cake sales. During Covid I handmade 2,000 masks, raising over £10,000.
“Whilst doing 8,000 steps in January of this year – when I usually walk about 1,000 steps a day – I decided to celebrate what would have been Jessica 30th birthday and announced on Facebook, so I would be held accountable, that I would walk three million steps, lose 30lb in weight and hit £30,000 on the Jessica Elvina Much Loved Forever Fund, all by 7 October – her 30th.
“And I did it – I did 3.2 million steps, lost 42lb in weight which is three stone and smashed the £30k target.”
No plans to stop anytime soon
But the fundraising won’t stop there. Julie has no plans to stop anytime soon. She added “Of course I’ll keep going. I can’t help my daughter, but I might be able to help others.
“I couldn’t do this without the support of my family and friends and I’d particularly like to thank my husband David, known as Mouche, who never met Jessica, my two children Samuel, 25, and Hannah, 23, my bestie Bev, Jessica’s Godmother, who spends every 7 October with me, and all my wonderful friends, family and work colleagues, who constantly donate money, goodies for fundraisers and never ever forget that I have three children – they are all wonderful people.”
Well, we think you’re wonderful Julie and thank you for all the support over so many years.
Our Fundraising Officer, Kat Hollywell, added: “What a brilliant fundraising result. Thank you so much Julie and everyone who supports your efforts.
“You’re making a real difference to our ongoing work fighting back against meningitis, helping us to raise awareness and support those who have been affected by it by enabling us to be here for everyone who needs us. Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do and well done on reaching your fundraising target in Jessica’s memory.”
You can donate to Jessica's Forever Fund here.
If you have been impacted by meningitis and are looking for support you can contact our nurse-led Helpline by phone on 0808 80 10 388 or email helpline@meningitisnow.org.
