Until I had meningitis aged 60 I had no idea that the disease not only killed babies but killed and maimed people of all ages. I was a fit triathlete who had been lucky enough to have the joy of 30 years of running.   Subsequently I learned that a number of Para-Olympians were paras because of meningitis.  As part of my ongoing rehabilitation I have taken on the challenge of being part of a team of mature women, the Ladies of the Lake from the Serpentine Swimming Club, tackling a Channel relay and through it we are raising funds for meningitis research.  My Ladies of the Lake team mates are Eliza, Jaana, Kirstie, Louie, Mary and Nicola.