Newport in Shropshire is on the route of an epic charity run being completed in aid of Meningitis Now and in memory of a young man who passed away from the disease in January.
Aaron Mills had not long started his university studies when he contracted meningitis and died while he was home visiting his family for Christmas.
Described by his loved ones as ‘one of the kindest people you could ever meet’, Aaron’s final gift of organ donation ensured that several recipients benefited from his incredible last act of kindness.
A good friend of Aaron and the Mills family - Shaun McEntee - will be aiming to complete the run between Aaron’s two beloved football clubs - Kidderminster Harriers and Liverpool FC - calling in to five universities on the way. Shaun is aiming to complete a distance of over 100 miles in just five days to raise awareness and donations for Meningitis Now, a charity that provides vital support and funds research.
Shaun explains that Aaron's death ignited a ‘passion’ in him to ensure no other family goes through what the Mills’ family has endured.
As well as the universities of Wolverhampton, Reasheath, Chester and Liverpool John Moore’s - where Aaron was a new student - Harper Adam’s, located just outside of Newport, Shropshire is on the list where Shaun and his support team will call in to.
The hope is to raise awareness of meningitis symptoms and that vaccination can save lives to a key age group at risk.
"It's easy in your late teens/early 20s to think you're invincible and that nothing can beat you” Shaun explains “But I've seen first-hand that meningitis can”
"The route aims to make us visible at the most prominent places, where we can reach as many of the at-risk age group as possible." he continues.
Many newborns are now routinely vaccinated and this has been in place for the last decade, yet Aaron and this age group have been missed.
Since the devastating loss of their son - Tony and Deniz Mills - have been campaigning for a catch-up vaccination programme and they have been instrumental in the government's recent decision to take action and roll it out.
With the run planned to start on 16th September, the family and Shaun believe there is even more to achieve in memory of Aaron and to support the important work of Meningitis Now.
The run will reach Newport on 17th September between 3-4pm. Shaun admits he has ‘zero experience’ in long-distance running. He is under no illusion about the scale of the challenge, which will see him run nearly a full marathon every day for five consecutive days.
"I'm going to be in all kinds of pain," he predicts. "But the cause is worth it - it means more than anything physical I will experience”
