(Image: (Image: Family))
Staff from two city centre restaurants are joining forces for a 24-hour rowing challenge in memory of a York teenager who died from meningitis.
Current and former employees of Lucia Wine Bar & Grill and The Cut & Craft York will keep a rowing machine moving continuously for 24 hours to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
It is the latest fundraiser in memory of Livia Wilson, from Woodthorpe, who went to bed complaining of a bad headache on June 15, 2022, but never woke up. She was just 19.
Months later, her family discovered she had died from Meningitis B. Ever since they have been striving to raise awareness of the symptoms and deadly speed of meningitis, particularly Meningitis B among olde teens and young adults, as well as fundraising to support research into the disease.
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The rowing endeavour is taking place tomorrow, Tuesday, September 29, in King's Square.
With strong support from relatives and friends, the family's Liv Forever campaign has raised more than £40,000 for Meningitis Research Foundation, with recent events including a Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, which raised £5,655, and the London Marathon, where Livia’s former colleague Bethan Topping raised £2,569.
Livia had worked at Lucia and The Cut & Craft, where she is remembered as a much-loved member of the team.
Organisers said the rowing challenge would bring together “a team of brilliant current and former employees” to remember Livia and celebrate the positive impact she had on colleagues.
Livia Wilson's mum Alison Goude was presented with the Charity Fundraiser of the Year Award at The Press York Community Pride Awards 2026. (Image: The Press)
They added: “By coming together, we hope to raise both awareness and vital funds for Meningitis Research Foundation, helping support research and work towards preventing others from experiencing the devastating effects of meningitis.”
People can support the fundraising challenge here: Team fundraising for Meningitis Research Foundation - LivForever19 is fundraising for Meningitis Research Foundation
Borak Akgul, who is involved, said: "Liv was a special person who brought people together. I’m simply trying to do the same, honouring her memory by bringing us all together for a cause. It’s something I believe in."
Livia’s mother, Alison Goude, was honoured with the Charity Fundraiser of the Year Award at The Press York Community Pride Awards earlier this month for her work turning personal tragedy into a campaign aimed at protecting other families from sharing the same heartbreak.
Alison was nominated by Livia’s friend and campaign supporter Molly Grace, who praised her “strength, courage and determination” in creating the Liv Forever campaign.
Molly said Alison had organised and supported darts nights, bake sales, marathons, charity golf days and the Three Peaks challenge.
She also arranged a charity evening at York Racecourse to mark what would have been Livia’s 21st birthday.
“Her courage, resilience and selflessness inspire everyone around her,” Molly said.
“She has transformed personal tragedy into hope and education for others.”
Alison has worked with local media and spoken openly about Livia’s death to raise awareness of meningitis symptoms and its potentially rapid progression.
Symptoms of meningitis can include a severe headache, fever, vomiting, a stiff neck and sensitivity to light. They can be mistaken for flu, Covid or a hangover.
Donations to the Liv Forever campaign can be made through its JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/liv-forever