2014 was looking to be the most fantastic year of my life. My beautiful daughter Bella turned 2, we had a our second daughter in July. We purchased a new family car. In September we got married in France, and had the most fantastic holiday. After lots of hard work and studying after returning, I passed an important exam at work in November. December started and it was looking to be a brilliant Christmas together.....

On Wednesday 10th December Bella has been at my parents for a few hours playing. When she came home she was ok.....an hour or so later she had developed a temperature and was sweating. A few hours later she was getting worse, so we called 111 and they told us to go to hospital. We took her to Kingsmill hospital, to which we were told it was a fever. A few days passed, and Bella wasn't getting any better. She has a temperature, sweating, and not herself at all. In the next 10 days we had 4 more hospital trips.....one diagnosis was possible scarlet fever or chicken pox; another stated tonsillitis. Bella was given oral penicillin to take, which she didn't want to take. Each trip the doctor stated it will take a few days to kick in and she would improve. Sadly she didn't improve in any way.

On Monday 22nd December my partner took Bella to the doctors and they instructed us to go to see the senior Paediatrician at Derby Royal hospital. On arrival the usual checks and observations were made. When admitted to the ward for overnight observations, the doctor came in and did some checks. She decided that a lumbar puncture was required to rule out Meningitis. A few hours later we were given the news we were dreading; she was diagnosed with bacterial Meningitis. Words cannot describe what effect it had on myself and all of us, the first thing that I was thinking is she had been suffering for 12 days prior to being diagnosed, and was afraid of what lasting effects this would have.

The doctors and staff in both the puffin and dolphin wards were brilliant. It was an extremely challenging, difficult, traumatising experience and they did all they could to help.

Sadly Bella missed out on Christmas at home due to being admitted to hospital for 7 days. However she met santa, had some brilliant presents and enjoyed Christmas with me and Cherry. We had a belated Christmas new years day when she was back home, and was overwhelmed with the presents she was given.

Prior to the 22nd December I did not know hardly anything about meningitis and the effects it has; the only things I was aware of was 'the glass test' and it was brain related. After research and reading peoples stories it really shows what effects it has and how devastating it is.

I really do believe that someone was looking down on us and protecting Bellla up until the point of diagnosis. The doctors were amazed with how 'ok' she seemed despite what had been diagnosed. She responded well to the treatment, and despite having some sleep and behavioural problems, we were extremely lucky to treat the disease when we did.

I will be competing in at least one event per month for the next 12 months; these range from 10Ks, half marathons, full marathons, triathlons (including the half ironman in May) and various other events.

Thank you for taking time to read my story.........Please don't take anything for granted as I have experienced, one moment could change your life forever.

Since starting the challenge we have found out Bella has suffered total hearing loss in her right ear. It could have been a lot worse.