I am David Canham and I first ran the Tatton Park 10k in 2017 along with a group of lads from Ashton in Makerfield.
Mixed abilities, all in their thirties, me in my sixties, all raising awareness and funds for Meningitis Research Foundation.
Running has been my source of wellbeing for 35+ years now. It has helped through hard times and continues to do so.
Although 2017 was a very tragic year for me and my family.
Most people associate Meningitis as a disease that affects children and babies. I suppose as a dad of 64 years, that is true but my daughter, Lynsey, my child was 31 years old when she contracted and sadly died from Meningitis.
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly. It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
For more detailed information about Meningitis visit the NHS website HERE.
Lynsey went into a coma on Mothering Sunday 2017. She was living and working in Abu Dhabi and was expecting a baby boy only 2 weeks later.
Lynsey was brought back into the UK by air ambulance on April 11 2017 and was confirmed dead in Salford Hope on April 12th. Three days before her big sister’s birthday; and 4 days before her elder son’s first birthday.
In the group that ran with me was her husband Matthew and his friends who all pulled together to raise money for Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).
Lynsey and Matthew had been married just under three years and were very much in love and learning how to be good parents to Vinnie, while looking forward with excitement to the birth of another baby boy.
Whilst Lynsey is not with us, Matthew is doing an excellent job of bringing up Vinnie, and Frankie, born by c section on Mothering Sunday when Lynsey slipped into a coma from which she didn’t wake up.
I have ran alone, cried alone been sad alone, but still ran. Not that fast now. But still with determination and purpose…keeping alive the memories of Lynsey our child, our baby.
My wife Dawn supports me everywhere I run. We find comfort through each other. Memories. Questions. Few answers.
We continue to raise funds for MRF in the hope that what we can highlight the devastation that this killer disease indiscriminately brought into our family’s life.
Look out for me...I’m on my own running this year.. purple vest (Meningitis Research Foundation colours)…Lynsey’s gorgeous face on my back, pushing me along.
If it wasn’t for my running and the determination to get out and run I don’t know where I would be mentally. If it wasn’t for all the people who organise these marvellous runs, I wouldn’t be able to share my story.
Any donations would be hugely appreciated and you can do so HERE
Thank you for reading and look out for the Silver 🦊!!