The family of a life-long Bantams fan who died almost a year ago after contracting meningitis is marking the anniversary by sponsoring a football match.

Susan and Keith Dimmock, of St Margaret's Avenue, Holme Wood, Bradford, will sponsor Bradford City's home game against Notts County on Saturday, January 12, in memory of their son, Shaun Dimmock.

They have also arranged for a pre-match collection in aid of the Meningitis Trust.

Shaun was 27 when he died in Airedale General Hospital on January 5 after an ear infection developed into deadly pneumococcal meningitis.

His death devastated his family, including his wife of ten months, Clare, and their son Luke, who was 14 months old at the time of his father's death.

In a tribute to Shaun in the Telegraph & Argus following his death the family spoke of his passion for Bradford City. He never missed a City match, even when money was tight and he had every home and away shirt since 1987.

Shaun, who celebrated Christmas Day last year with Luke, sporting matching City shirts, had looked forward to sharing his love of the club with his son as he grew up.

His funeral at St John's Church, Bierley, was a sea of claret and amber and mourners included a number of Bradford City players.

Using the words of the City fans' anthem, his father said it was what Shaun would have wanted, because he was "City till he died".

City fans had also paid their own tribute with a minute-long round of applause before a Bradford City match against Swansea.

In lieu of flowers at the funeral a collection was made for the Meningitis Trust and in the year since Shaun's death the charity has helped his family by providing them with bereavement counselling.

As well as helping with practical support, the Meningitis Trust also funds research into the disease and raises awareness of its symptoms.

Shaun's mother said the year since her son's death had been difficult, especially now they faced their Christmas without him.

"It was his dad's idea to sponsor the match," she said. "We are going to put pictures of Shaun on the collection buckets so it makes it a bit more personal.

"He was Bradford City mad and if supporters can see his face they will know who they are collecting for. We had counselling from the Meningitis Trust earlier on in the year and we hope this will raise awareness about the charity and the disease.

"We want people to remember that it does not just affect children. We never thought Shaun could get meningitis at his age, you just don't expect it at 27.

"If this helps someone else recognise the symptoms of this disease then he has not died in vain."

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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