Memorial fund for Liam Keeling hits £100k in three years

A memorial fund set up by the family of a young footballer from Staffordshire who died of bacterial meningitis has reached a milestone £100,000.

Wyrley Juniors player Liam Keeling, of Cheslyn Hay, died in October, 2009, two weeks after celebrating his 13th birthday. His devastated family immediately set up a fund to raise money for Meningitis UK.

Today the charity called it "an amazing achievement" in such a short time.

The youngster, a Year 8 pupil at Cardinal Griffin RC High School in Cannock, was a promising midfielder for Wyrley Juniors under-13s Panthers, feeder club to Walsall FC.

Tributes described him as a "gentle giant and diamond footballer" after he died of meningococcal meningitis.

Parents Andy and Georgina, who also have a daughter Hannah, have worked tirelessly to raise cash in memory of their son. A large part of the money has been raised through Wyrley Juniors FC, where Andy was joint manager.

He vowed to continue fundraising until a vaccine is found. "Meningitis can kill within four hours and every week six families somewhere in the country will suffer the same devastating loss" he said.

Events in June will be aiming to help Meningitis UK reach its £7 million target to fund vital research.

Thirty-five people including 15 Aldridge postmen and six teachers from the George Slater Academy in West Bromwich are embarking on a sponsored 27-mile trek on June 3.

Starting from the Clywedog dam, they will climb the 2,500ft high Pumlumon Fawr peak.

A 10-mile sponsored bike ride starting at The Royal Oak in Norton Lane, Great Wyrley, is on June 16.

Meningitis UK founder Steve Dayman said: "It is incredible to hear that, in such a short time, the Liam Keeling Memorial Fund has reached the £100,000 milestone. It is an amazing achievement and testament to everyone involved."