This is the second year in a row that Simon Flood and his son, Adam, have entered the Peak District Ultra Challenge for Kirsty.
And, for the first time, they are being joined for parts of the 31 mile walk on Sunday, 10th July, 2022, by our Vice President David Jennings who is honouring his brother, Philip.
There will also be a support network of friends, including Paul, Sarah and Keith, on hand for all or most of the walk.
Sponsor the Kirsty and Philip Walk
Kirsty, Simon and Adam
Simon said: “Kirsty was 13 when she died of encephalitis in February last year. The disease first struck on 1st July, 2019 and there were dark days before Encephalitis was diagnosed and the hospital treatment turned things around.
“She seemed to mostly recover, but it returned with a vengeance in the summer of 2020, causing more severe brain damage which made it hard for her to learn at school.
“The COVID-19 lockdown hit her particularly hard as she was very gregarious and she missed being with her lovely friends.
“That winter came and the disease was seemingly returning, so her medication had to be increased.
“She was found lifeless in bed on Friday 5th February 2021.
“The ambulance arrived within two or three minutes, to be followed by two or three more ambulances, a doctor and the police, but despite a massive, and much appreciated, effort for some 90 minutes they couldn’t revive her.
“It was an autoimmune version of encephalitis in which her body was attacking her brain for reasons unknown. We light a candle in her memory each Friday.”
David said: “This is my brother Philip who passed away from measles encephalitis in December 1976 at the tender age of 17.
“It is one of the few pictures we have of him. Like many families at the time, we didn’t take a huge amount of pictures. We thought we had time. Time to grow together. Time to build our families together and time to share precious moments.
“But, sadly, time ran out. And what is left are old photographs and our memories. There is not a day goes by when I don’t think of Philip, and there isn’t a Christmas, birthday or family event when his grave isn’t cleaned and new flowers laid by our Mum.
“Being told his is the best tended grave in the graveyard is no consolation.
“So I am supporting this walk to help other families have the time to collect more memories and more photographs. Please support us on the Kirsty and Philip walk and let’s help all families touched by encephalitis.”