A ROSE grown in memory of an 11-year-old boy who died of meningitis will be launched at Southport Flower Show this week.
Adam’s Rose has been cultivated by a Cheshire nursery in memory of Warrington’s Adam Doughty.
Adam, who attended Birchwood High School, died after fighting bacterial meningitis for five days in November, 2003.
Since his death, mother Alyson and the rest of the family have committed themselves to raising awareness about the disease in a bid to save more lives.
They launched the Adam Doughty Tribute Fund and 20% from the sale of each rose will go into the fund.
The fund pays for support and information materials, as well as services like the 24-hour freephone nurse-led helpline, financial support grants and counselling.
Rose specialist Keith Jones created the fragrant plant which produces purple-pink flowers at his Goldenfields Nursery, in Cheshire.
Preferring a sunny aspect, it grows to 60cm high and 30cm wide and flowers from June to November.
After its launch at the show this Thursday, the rose will also be available for sale from the nursery on 01829 740663.
Christine Hughes, community development officer for the Meningitis Trust, said: “At the Meningitis Trust, we are constantly reminded how devastating meningitis can be; changing people’s lives in an instant and leaving some with life-long after-effects – in Adam’s case, a tragic death.
“The development of this rose in memory of Adam is a beautiful way to remember a special boy.”
Meningitis kills more children under the age of five than any other infectious disease.
It can strike anyone at any time and at any age, with around 3,000 cases of bacterial meningitis occurring every year in the UK and there are probably more than double that number of cases of viral meningitis.
Southport Flower Show, now in its 79th year, will take place at Victoria Park from Thursday to Sunday this week (Aug 21-24) and with a Capital of Horti-Culture theme, will join the region's celebrations promoting Liverpool as European Capital of Culture.
THE Meningitis Trust runs a freephone 24-hour nurse-led helpline on 08000281828.
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