Appeal gets off to flyer.

Byline: Mike Malyon

PLEDGES of around pounds 9,000 have kickstarted the new Nuneaton and Bedworth civic appeal.

Mayor Tom Wilson launched his year of fund-raising in the Town Hall yesterday - and was overwhelmed by the immediate response.

Cheques totalling pounds 4,700 were handed over and representatives of various organisations in the borough offered to stage events to push early donations towards the five-figure mark.

The Telegraph revealed yesterday how Coun Wilson had chosen to support the Meningitis Trust because he almost lost his son to the killer condition some years ago.

"The support I have already been promised is just fantastic," said Coun Wilson. "People of this borough have always been very generous when it comes to charity and, even though the economic situation is tight, I'm sure they will again rally round." The main beneficiary of the appeal will be the Meningitis Trust, but Coun Wilson also wants to spotlight hearing problems and help the heritage centres at Chilvers

Coton and the Parsonage Project in Bedworth.

A civic appeals team has been formed, chaired by former Coop chief Hughie Todner and led by Nuneaton Bowls Club member Pat Bowles. Other members are Matt Croxall, from the Meningtis Trust, heritage champion John Burton, local chemist Jim Burr, and hearing awareness advisor Ruth Barnett.

"Meningitis is often thought of as a rare disease affecting children.

But this is not the case," said Mr Croxall. "There are 3,000 cases a year, involving people of all ages, and the death rate is around 10 per cent.

This appeal will help us support local sufferers and their families and advise people on how to spot the symptoms." Mrs Bowles said that her mother had contracted meningitis as a teenager in 1937 which had caused profound deafness. "I have lived all my life with the repercussions of this terrible disease, which is why I am happy to be involved in helping to raise the profile and awareness of meningitis and the hearing problems it can cause." At the launch, Major Nick Range, from the 30th Signals Regiment, based at Bramcote, made a donation of pounds 3,000, while pounds 1,000 was given by members of Coun Wilson's family, a pounds 500 cheque was handed over from the Nuneaton Training Centre and pounds 200 was offered by Mick Emanuelle, of La Tavola Calda restaurant.

Pledges to raise cash from locally-staged events were made by Bedworth Lions, the Rotary Club, Loughborough Car Club, Anker Radio stalwart Terry Spicer, Crossed Khukris restaurant owner Om Gurung, Nuneaton Choral Society and Griff and Coton Sports Club.

"The fact that so many people have come forward on day one of my appeal is so encouraging," said Coun Wilson.

"For myself and my wife Sonja, the Meningitis Trust is a cause close to our hearts. After the way our son's life was saved, when he was struck by the disease a few years ago, this is an opportunity for us to payback our thanks."

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GREAT START... Nuneaton and Bedworth Mayor and Mayoress Tom and Sonja Wilson with the members of the appeal committee.