Welcome!

This year I will be running the 2012 Virgin London Marathon to raise money for The Meningitis Trust which will take place on the 22nd April.

As some of you are aware, we tragically lost Clemmie Nicholson to meningitis in 2009 whilst we were in our last year at Rugby School. Clemmie was an absolutely wonderful person - so kind, generous and outgoing. She was a great friend, daughter and sister and her death came as a shock to us all. Although Clemmie passed away nearly 3 years ago her memory lives on and many of us go back to Stanley House (the boarding house where Clemmie lived at Rugby) to visit the Clementine tree that was planted in her memory, and her family have set up The Clemmie Nicholson Charitable Foundation (http://www.wix.com/kmbainbridge/cncf).

We lost Clemmie to Meningococcal Septicaemia, a form of bacterial meningitis, which is an extremely dangerous and unpredictable disease. It occurs when bacteria infects the meninges and the blood vessels in the lining of the brain become damaged. This then allows the bacteria to break through and infect the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the meninges become inflamed and pressure around the brain can cause nerve damage. After-effects of Meningococcal Septicaemia include memory loss, behavioural and emotional problems, loss of hearing and sight and brain damage.  

However many, like Clemmie, sadly do not survive the disease. Of the 1,500 cases of Meningococcal disease reported every year, around 7% of cases result in death. Of those who survive, around 15% are left with severe and disabling after-effects and their lives are changed forever. 

The Meningitis Trust is an excellent charity whose aim is to reach and improve the lives of everyone affected by meningitis and minimise the impact of the disease. They offer support, partnership and information regarding meningitis and undertake large campaigning and fundraising projects to promote facts about meningitis and to offer financial assistance where needed. It costs around £8,000 a day for The Meningitis Trust to offer their services so fundraising is a crucial part of the charity's lifeline. 

So please please please donate and help me raise money for this great cause! I am aiming to raise £2,500 - every donation counts!

Thank you so much for all of your support! I will let you know how the big event goes - I am aiming for an ambitious time of under 4 hours!

We love and miss you Clemmie with all our hearts. x

If you wish to contact me then my email address is folcott@gmail.com