Hi,

Thank you for reading this. I'm raising essential funds for Meningitis Now by completing the 3 peak challenge in July 2024. The 3 peak challenge involves climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon in 24 Hours.

I have chosen to support this charity for a very personal reason, which some of you will know. Last year I was admitted into hospital with Bacterial Meningitis. It came on so fast and I didn't realise how ill I was. This led to a 10-day stay in hospital, where I had multiple antibiotic and steroid IV treatments a day, along with the initial lumbar puncture, scans, blood tests and everything else that came with it. I then came home and was cared for by my family before eventually being able to return to work and a normal life. Despite all of this, I was very lucky and blessed to come out of it with no lasting effects, but unfortunately most people who contract meningitis aren't as lucky as me.

Meningitis is a life threatening, infectious disease that can leave devastation in its wake for those who contract it and their family and friends. For those who survive, many will suffer life changing after-effects.

Meningitis is inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord caused either by a viral or bacterial infection, both are just as deadly. Meningitis symptoms are easy to miss or confuse with other minor illnesses and can include being sick, headache, a temperature, a stiff neck and a dislike of bright lights, however they can get a lot worse and become life threatening very quickly.

It's estimated up to 1 person in every 2 or 3 who survives bacterial meningitis is left with 1 or more permanent health problems and 1 in every 10 cases are fatal.

Meningitis Now, www.meningitisnow.org, is the leading UK Meningitis charity with 30 years experience dedicated to raising awareness of meningitis, providing support and funding vital preventative research. They work tirelessly to ensure a brighter future for all, where no one dies from meningitis and anyone affected by it gets the support they need to recover and live a happy, full and complete life.

Thank you for reading my story and for donating anything you can afford to my fund raising effort and don't forget to use Gift Aid if you can to make your donation go further. I appreciate times are hard for many and if you can't donate I completely understand, but please make sure you're aware of meningitis symptoms should anyone you know fall ill.