'Fit and sporty dad died after earache didn't go away'

'Amazing dad' died when earache turned into meningitis The family and friends of a man who died from meningitis after suffering with an earache said he was a "pillar of the community".

Josh Vickery, 40, a long-serving Somerset's Bridgwater Cricket Club player and coach, died from the disease after developing an ear infection, which just "didn't go away."

Now, his friends and former teammates have cycled to Somerset from Paris in his honour, to raise money for Meningitis Now.

His wife Jess said she was "so incredibly proud" of the group for the challenge, which feels like a "big hug to the family".

The dad-of-three became unwell in May 2021 with an ear infection which "just lingered", Mrs Vickery said.

"He had a couple of series of antibiotics but it just didn't go.

"All of a sudden alongside the earache he had a really severe headache and just sort of slept.

'Be aware of the symptoms' "That very quickly was the start of the meningitis. He went to hospital and in two days they said his brain had shut down.

"He went into ICU and they said there was nothing they can do," she said.

Mrs Vickery is urging people to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis , which include a high temperature, a blotchy rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it and a dislike of bright lights.

However, she warned that some people do not show all the signs.

"Josh was the ultimate family man, he did everything for us.

"He was a young fit, healthy, sporty 40-year-old, still playing cricket, pushing all his kids into try every sport possible," she said.

A group of 14 friends embarked on a "gruelling" 317-mile charity cycle this week in memory of the "much-loved" of Mr Vickery.

Mike Coles, who was a close friend to Mr Vickery, said it's been "inspiring" to see the group keep going each day, and see all the support they've received on the GoFundMe page, called 'Cycle for the Vicar'.

"He would absolutely love what we are doing now and would have been a major part of it if he was still with us.

"He was the life and sole of the party and he was an amazing son, husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend to so many people, which is why everyone is loving being a part of keeping his memory living on," Mr Coles added.

It will take the group five days to complete the feat, and they are expected to arrive back to Somerset on Saturday. A family fundraising event will then take place at Bridgwater County Cricket Club.