A father-of-two from Locks Heath has organised a charity cycle ride to raise funds for the Meningitis Trust that supported his family when his two-year-old son suffered the disease.
Gemma and Alex Fuge with the children Ava and Alex
Cycling enthusiast Dave Fuge wants people to join him on the 38-mile ride to raise funds for the charity, as well as for Locks Heath Football Club, where he is a player and manager.
When his son Alex suddenly stopped eating, began vomiting and spots appeared on his body one night in December last year, Dave and his wife Gemma were extremely worried.
They tested for meningitis by pressing a glass tumbler over the spots to find they did not disappear – a common sign of the disease. They couple, both 31, rushed him to hospital, while taking care of their four-year-old daughter Ava.
Doctors at Queen Alexandra Hospital reacted quickly to Alex giving him steroids to stop his brain swelling, put him on a drip and he was treated for the Type B Meningococcal Meningitis and scepticemia.
“It was really frightening,” said Dave of Summerfields in Locks Heath.
“We were very shocked by that and it was a really hard time. We were really lucky he’s come through without any long term damage.
“There is a lot of serious damage that can be done from this disease including brain damage and loss of limbs. We’re very lucky and very grateful for the work they did and their knowledge at the hospital of meningitis.
“We never suspected anything like that. We knew about the glass test so we had half an idea. Because we got him so quickly to the hospital to get the medicine to stop his brain swelling we saved his life.”
Fortunately the youngster has made a full recovery but will be on penicillin for the rest of his life to reduce chances of the disease returning.
But Dave is raising money for Meningitis Trust to raise more awareness of the disease with the Coastal Cycle Ride on October 12.
The ride will start at 10am at Locks Heath Football Club in Warsash Road, go along the Meon Shore to Lee-on-Solent and Gosport to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth. They go through Southsea, along the Eastern Road, up Portsdown Hill to Wickham and finishing back at the football ground.
He and other members of the football club are all raising cash for improvements to the grounds. As part of this charity ride, the £15 entry fee will go to the club and the minimum £25 sponsorship will go to the Trust.
Dave added: “I’d urge people to get involved to support the growth of the local football club, and the only successful adult team in the area, and the Meningitis Trust who do a lot of work to help save and rebuild families who have had meningitis.”
For more details and an information pack on the ride contact davefuge81@hotmail.co.uk.