Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, and I am going to waste no time in asking you to please sponsor me in 'The Great North Run', to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Thanks to them, and the doctors at North Tyneside Hospital, when taken critically ill in 2001 with Meningoccal Meningitis, I was fortunate enough to be diagnosed quickly and eventually make a full recovery. 

Meningitis can affect anyone, and can become very dangerous in a matter of hours.  The work of the Foundation is essential in raising awareness and researching ways to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, improve survival rates and outcomes.

Please take a look at some of the real life stories on their website (http://www.meningitis.org/book-of-experience) to see why despite spending 2 weeks in a coma and 6 months off work, I feel very lucky.

The Great North Run is the worlds largest half marathon which takes place in the North of England run by many celebrities and televised live by the BBC.  Coincidentally, the route is also very close to the hospital in which I was treated all those years ago.

Any amount you can pledge will be deeply appreciated, meanwhile, should you wish to know more about meningitis and its symptoms or the work of the foundation go to www.meningitis.org

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.