Father fights pain to boost charity funds

Kacie Steer, five, from Immingham, near Grimsby, died suddenly of the disease on February 11.

Her father Anthony, 35, planned to raise funds for Meningitis Now by taking part in a tandem skydive – only to be told by the instructors he should not do it because of his long-term ear problems.

But after explaining why he was there the instructors at Hibaldstow Airfield agreed for the 15,000ft jump to go ahead.

Although in some discomfort, Mr Steer landed safely – and raised £3,628.

“I begged the instructors to let me do it – I wasn’t going to not do it and fail Kacie,” he said.

“Apart from my ears popping and the pain to them from the pressure it was brilliant – a fantastic experience and it raised so much.”

Days earlier, Mr Steer, who works for Associated British Ports, was contacted by Col Clarke, 38, a colleague he had never met before, who said he wanted to organise a charity football tournament after hearing about Kacie, raising a further £2,230.