Today, Oliver is a mischievous, cheeky, loveable, sometimes naughty, but entirely normal eight year old. However, when he was four months old he contracted bacterial meningitis and was very seriously ill. Thanks to the incredible foresight of our GP and the outstanding skill and dedication of the team of doctors at the North Hampshire hospital, Oliver made a full recovery. We were fortunate; others are not so lucky.

Like Marshall Janson (pictured below), who fell ill with meningitis just days after his first birthday, causing him to lose both hands and both legs. Or Georgia Keeling (picture also below), who in 2009 died from meningitis after doctors twice mis-diagnosed her as having swine flu. She was two years old.

Meningitis is particularly frightening because the symptoms are so varied and can be very easily confused (even for professionals) with symptoms of far less serious illnesses. It is often said that meningitis is the one disease that really scares doctors.   

Meningitis Now has a vision to stamp out all forms of meningitis as well as to help rebuild the lives of those affected by this disease. It funds pioneering research into vaccines and other methods of preventing meningitis. Every week, six families face the sudden tragedy of losing a loved one to this devastating disease. 

On April 13th I will be running the London Marathon in aid of Meningitis Now. The reason is simple, to raise as much money as I can to help Marshall, to help Georgia's family and endeavour to give something to all those who haven't been lucky as we were, and whose lives have been changed forever by this dreadful disease.

Please give what you can to this incredible cause.