A DEDICATED group of fundraisers from Berkeley is organising a community triathlon with a difference in memory of a young boy and to fight back against the disease that killed him.

Friends and family of 2-year-old Sam Virgo, who died from meningitis in March 2008, are staging the event on Saturday 14 July, in aid of Stroud-based charity Meningitis Now.

They’ll also be raising funds and awareness for two other charities, the CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) Support Network and Sue Ryder Leckhampton.

Those taking part will either run a half marathon or take on a 100-mile cycle ride starting and finishing in Berkeley Square. Children from the local primary school will take on the swimming part of the event in the week leading up to the 14th.

Since Sam’s death from meningitis, which left his parents Sue and James and brother Steven devastated, the town of Berkeley has pulled together to raise awareness of the disease and funds to help fight it through the annual Sam Virgo Memorial Walk, covering the 10 miles from Thornbury to Berkeley.

Alongside this an annual rounders tournament and many other events have seen them raise over £150,000 towards Meningitis Now’s lifesaving and life-changing research, awareness and support work.

One of the organisers of Bsq2Bsq, Claire Spiers, said: “We feel that raising money for Meningitis Now will not only help the charity support many more families but also raise awareness and ensure that eventually everyone is entitled to the vaccine for Meningitis B.

“Our goal is to make people aware of the fantastic work done by our chosen charities, how they can make a difference and to raise much-needed funds for each of them.”

Organisers are currently trying to get sponsorship from companies and would be pleased to hear from anyone who can help.,

To find out more about the triathlon and get involved visit the website http://bsq2bsq.org.uk/