SUPERSTARS: Gareth Hale and Norman Pace.

SHOWBIZ couple Spice Girl Victoria Adams and David Beckham have thrown their weight behind a campaign backed by Daily Echo publisher Newscom to combat the deadly disease meningitis.

New mum Posh who had her first son, Brooklyn, in March was due to launch a national campaign to pro-mote awareness about the lethal virus today.

The appeal spearheaded by the Meningitis Research Foundation is aiming to raise up to £750,000 for vital investigations to stamp out the potentially-fatal bug.

The Southern Daily Echo's parent company Newscom is backing the drive, entitled "Be Free", in a bid to spread the message of the dangers related to the killer bug.

The fundraising drive is also being supported by comedians Gareth Hale and Norman Pace.

Victoria said: "Meningitis is every parent's worst nightmare and as a new parent myself I realise that babies and very young children are particularly at risk.

"That is why David and I will be working with Meningitis Research Foundation to raise money to beat this devastating disease."

Southampton had the worst ever campus-wide outbreak of the virus in the country in 1997 when three stu-dents died and three were left seriously ill.

During the same year there were 37 reported cases of meningococcal meningitis and this increased to 53 the fol-lowing year.

Dr Mike Barker, consultant in com-municable diseases at Southampton Health and South West Hampshire Health Authority said: "It is terribly important for people to be aware of it and get hold of leaflets and be informed."

The partnership between the Meningitis Research Foundation and Newscom will raise the profile of the appeal by informing its readers across the south.

In the last week of May more than 40 daily and weekly newspapers, including the Southern Daily Echo, across the region will run a feature which will raise thousands of pounds for the charity. Newscom co-op sales manager Gregg Ramirez said: "The outbreaks have been in three key towns in Southampton, Newport and Plymouth where our major stories have been run."

Janette Murray, spokeswoman for the Meningitis Research Foundation said with their research they are hoping the potentially fatal disease will be eradicated by the 21st century.

She said: "Meningitis is the commonest cause of death in children. We are looking at prevention, detection and treatment of both meningitis and septicaemia.

"Southampton has had quite a number of cases but anyone who contracts can do so in any area.

"The research conducted will be into why these people are susceptible not the area."

Posh Spice will present a motor scooter, signed by herself and David to the appeal today at a ceremony in London.

It will be accepted by Hale and Pace on behalf of the research foundation.

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