THE Gazette's campaign with Meningitis UK has raised almost £9,000 so far.

The campaign was launched in February with the aim to help fund research into a vaccine against the most common strain of the disease, meningitis group B.

Meningitis UK was started in 1999 by Steve Dayman, of Alveston, with the single focus to find a vaccine.

Mr Dayman has spent most of the last 27 years raising awareness of meningitis after losing his 14-month-old son Spencer to the illness in November 1982.

The Gazette campaign is hoping to raise £40,000 within 12 months, which will help fund a vaccine researcher for a whole year.

During the last four months there has been a flurry of activity among Gazette readers who have been busy organising fundraising events for the campaign, which has so far raised £8,817.

Mr Dayman said: "To raise almost £9,000 in four months is a great start to the campaign. I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has got involved so far, whether it was taking part in the walk, trekking across the Arctic or buying a pint at The Anchor.

"Lots of people have sent in individual donations and their generosity is much appreciated. Every penny will go towards the campaign and Meningitis UK's single focus - to eradicate this devastating disease.

"Now the summer's upon us we're hopeful people will get their fundraising thinking caps on. There are lots of different ways to raise money and help The Gazette reach its £40,000 total."

Gazette editor Skip Walker added: "It is incredibly heartening that, despite the recession, Gazette readers have been so very generous in support of this very worthwhile cause.

"It would be sensational if, at the end of next year, a breakthrough vaccination was discovered as a result of this generosity."

There are still fundraising events planned for later in the year that people can get involved in to help raise money for the Gazette campaign.

The Summer Stroll, a 14-mile sponsored walk between Bath and Bristol, is being held on Saturday, June 20.

Runners can apply for a place in the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday, September 6 on behalf of Meningitis UK.

The annual Spencer's Ball is being held at the Aztec Hotel in Almondsbury on Friday, September 25.

For further information on any of these events call Wendy Lewis at Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373.

Ideas of fundraising events can be found by visiting www.meningitisuk.org or by calling Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373.

We promise to give every event held in support of this campaign plenty of publicity.