BIRMINGHAM City wags are ditching their luxurious homes and designer heels to conquer the Great Wall of China – and to help children with meningitis.

Goalkeeper Colin Doyle’s baby son Liam almost died from the disease aged just seven weeks in August.

And four wives and girlfriends of the premier team footballers, including Liam’s mum Becky, are using the tot’s brave battle against the killer brain bug as their inspiration to raise cash for the Meningitis Trust.

Liam is on the road to recovery, but fighting long-term health implications of meningitis.

Mum-of-three Becky, 31, will be joined on the trek by Stuart Parnaby’s wife Paula, 32, Matt Derbyshire’s wife Melissa, 27, and Kirsty Maclaren, 23, fiancée of defender Liam Ridgewell.

Kirsty and Liam’s daughter Eva Summer was also struck down with meningitis. She was just seven months old at the time.

The four women will spend five days trekking across tough steep terrain next March.

And they will be joined by Birmingham Mail reporter Christina Savvas who will report each stage of their walk, and preparations leading up to it, in the newspaper and on our website.

Becky said: “Our baby boy could have died but he was given a chance, thanks to the hospital staff who spotted he had meningitis.

“When you speak to the Meningitis Trust, you see that they deal with so many families that have been devastated by the disease, some do not survive.

“We hope to help people to spot the signs early and save lives.

“I will do whatever it takes to prevent any mum or dad from going through what Colin and I have been through.

“And it is not just babies that get meningitis, it can affect anyone at any age, including people the fit and healthy. Everyone associates meningitis with a rash but Liam didn’t have a rash.”

To give, go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/greatwalltrek

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