Cannock businessman takes on fundraising challenge in memory of daughter

A Cannock Chase Chamber committee member is hoping to raise £5,000 in memory of his daughter, who tragically passed away from meningitis aged just 36.

Rhiannon Gaunlett contracted bacterial meningitis in February 2020, leaving behind her eight-month old daughter, Lilith Gauntlett (pictured), and her husband Danial.

In memory of his daughter, Paul Reeves, former head of customer banking for Yorkshire Bank, is looking to raise thousands in the next year for charity Meningitis Now by completing a number of endurance challenges.

Paul, now non-executive director for Morecambe Bay Wines, is looking to raise cash by running the London Marathon in October and the Stafford half-marathon in September.

Paul is no novice to marathons, as he has previously completed five of them since picking up the running bug in 2014, completing his first at the age of 50.

For the London Marathon this autumn though, Paul says that it will be 'quite emotional ' for him, as his daughter Rhiannon previously cheered him on from Tower Bridge at previous marathons.

Alongside the running challenges, Paul and his family are also looking to host a memorial fundraising in Rhiannon 's home town of Stone, once Covid restrictions ease in late summer to give his daughter, in his words, 'the send off she richly deserves '.

Describing why he has chosen to take on the fundraising challenges, Paul said: “We just don 't want people to suffer like we have.

“It is just horrific how quickly it just came on, and we 've got no idea of why or how. So if there is anything we can do to raise awareness just to help families really, especially people who survive. Meningitis can cause major brain injuries which can be life changing for families.

“We just can 't believe how your life can change so much in 24 hours, as ours did. Thinking you 've got everything and then suddenly you haven 't. ”

Since launching his fundraising campaign, Paul said the feedback from family, friends and the business community has been 'really supportive '.

He said: “Everybody has been really supportive of us, and really admired our strength as a family that we can do this. ”

So far, Paul has raised more than £1,600 for Meningitis Now.

To donate to his campaign, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/RhiannonGauntlett