THE first steps on the last charity walk in memory of a woman who died from meningitis were taken by a little boy who lost his legs to the devastating disease.

More than £80,000 has now been raised by Terry and Sue Laing who lost their daughter, Helen, 24, to the illness in May 2001.

After a decade leading a five mile ramble across the countryside near Osmotherley, the couple from Hartburn, Stockton, decided the hike would be their final foray in aid of Meningitis UK.

About 300 family, friends and supporters descended on the North Yorkshire village on Sunday afternoon.

They wore T-shirts featuring Helen’s photograph on the front emblazoned with the slogan “Meningitis can kill in under 4 hours” on the back.

Five-year-old Robbie Jones, who lost his legs and the fingertips on his left hand to meningitis when he was 21 months old, officially started the walk on prosthetics.

The boy from Bowburn in Co Durham was taught to use his new limbs by teenager Lyndon Longhorne.

Northern Echo readers helped raise about £100,000 to buy prosthetics for the 15-year-old after he had both his legs amputated after contracting meningitis when he was a baby.

Mr and Mrs Laing thanked sponsors and everyone who had taken part on the walks.

Mr Laing said his daughter had fulfilled her dream of becoming a fully-qualified nursery nurse only months before she died.

“She would have been proud that Robbie started the walk as she was a loved children during her short lifetime,” he added.

For more information visit www.meningitisuk.org or call 0117-3737373.