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Steve Fear has now completed 20 walks and covered 7,500 miles for Meningitis UK

A DETERMINED Highbridge fundraiser completed his 20th marathon hike for charity Meningitis UK last week, 15 years after his niece was killed by the disease.

Steve Fear, from Worston Road, has clocked up more than 8,000 miles to help raise money for the meningitis cause - since his 16-year-old niece Sophie Deacon, a King Alfred School pupil, died in 1993.

The Highbridge hero's latest conquest was a mammoth walk from Blackpool to Bridlington last week, called The Walk of Roses, for the Bristol-based charity meningitis UK.

The Weekly News spoke to Steve during his northern trek about his impressive fundraising efforts and the reason he walks for the charity - his niece Sophie.

Steve said: "I lost my niece in May 1993, but got talking to the founder of one the meningitis charities and have been walking for them since then.

"Sophie's always in my mind and I carry a picture of her in the front of my van, so she is always with me.

"These marathon walks are an excellent way of raising funds for Meningitis UK and its Search 4 a Vaccine campaign.

"It's also a great way of raising awareness of disease and meeting people from across the country who have been touched by meningitis."

All together Steve has walked a staggering 7,500 miles for the charity and the walks he has been part of have raised more than £1,750,000.

But the Highbridge hiker is determined to continue his fundraising campaign and is already planning to complete The Big Four walk in October - which will see him walk from Southampton to Sheffield, to Bristol and then to London.

To make a donation towards Meningitis UK's Walk of Roses or Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, call 01173-737373 or visit www.meningitisuk.org.

5:23pm Saturday 10th May 2008

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