Steve Dayman MBE
Steve Dayman lost his son Spencer aged 14 months in November 1982 from meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. In those days there were no charities to represent meningitis.
Soon after the death of his son, Steve set up the Meningitis Research Appeal, the first charity to represent meningitis.
Steve’s Meningitis Journey
Steve was told by the meningitis scientific fraternity in the early 80’s that he would not see a meningitis vaccine in his lifetime. There are now five vaccines in the UK national vaccination programme.
1986
Steve became the Founding Chairman of the Stroud based Meningitis Trust.
1989
Steve founded the Meningitis Research Foundation.
1991
Steve introduced and promoted the diagnostic Tumbler Test to the general public throughout the UK.
1992
Steve became a Paul Harris Fellow, awarded by the Rotary club of Thornbury.
1992-2017
Steve undertook 35 marathon walks walking over 12 thousand miles and raising over £2 million from the walks alone.
1999
Steve founded Meningitis UK, which concentrated solely on raising funds to support vaccine research.
2011
Awarded an MBE for services to healthcare.
2013
Steve was instrumental in amalgamating Meningitis UK and Meningitis Trust to become Meningitis Now. The merged entity is now the largest meningitis charity in the UK.
2014
Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bristol.
2014
Received an ITV/Daily Mirror Pride of Britain, Special Recognition Award.
2023
Established Spencer Dayman Meningitis Research.
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