A Telford father left devastated after his 15-month-old son died after contracting meningitis is embarking on a major cycling challenge to raise cash for charity in his memory.
Little Maxwell Evans died suddenly in December 2009 just as he was taking his first steps and beginning to utter his very first words.
His death has rocked his whole family who have since relocated to Wellington, and now dad Russell is determined to make sure other families are not robbed of their children and wants to raise money to find a new vaccine to combat the disease.
On September 7, on what would have been Maxwell’s second birthday, Russell will be setting off from the Square in Shrewsbury to begin a 1,000 mile, 10-day sponsored cycle ride.
Russell’s father Gerry Evans today said the loss of his grandson had been terrible.
He said: “He was a wonderful, happy bubbly little boy so very full of life and he meant so very much to us all, and we miss him terribly.
“Imagine your child, or the child of a family member, aged only 15 months taken suddenly, without warning, no signal, here one moment, happy and vibrant, then gone the next.
“The pain and the heartache is indescribable, it rocks the lives of all concerned and is something that will stay with us all forever.”
Gerry called on people to support his son in any way they can. He said Russell would like as many cyclists as possible to join him when he sets off from Shrewsbury and if possible to accompany him whenever and wherever they can along the route.
To pledge a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/maxwell-evans