KEY POINTS:
More than 1000 people joined Auckland Blues captain Tory Flavell and his family at Western Springs yesterday for the Meningitis Trust's Toddle Waddle sponsored walk.
Flavell, his wife, Cherie, and 18-month-old daughter India led the walk around the lake with trust mascot Monty the Duck.
Flavell said having had meningitis himself, twice, he was proud to support the trust and help raise funds for its support service and education campaigns.
He brought along other members of his family who also knew the importance of staying vigilant for the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Trust spokeswoman Sandra Roberts said it was a celebration-type event, though for some it was a time to recall personal tragedy caused by the disease.
Tui Kennar, who lost his 33-year-old pregnant wife to meningitis, was at the Toddle Waddle too and said it was the beginning of "a new journey for me in life".
Mr Kennar told his story to the Weekend Herald in the hope of preventing other families going through what he did.
His wife, Martina Matic-Kennar, fell ill at the funeral of Mr Kennar's sister. Twenty-four hours later she was dead after pneumococcal meningitis took hold.
Mr Kennar was accompanied by their 14-month-old son Luka yesterday.
"I've talked to the Meningitis Trust and while I'm not sure what I can do yet I want to offer what I can," Mr Kennar said.
The Toddle Waddle is the trust's main fundraiser.
An event will also be held at Hamilton Lake on March 17.
