Meningitis entered our lives in October 2002 when my daughter, who was 10 months old at the time, contracted Group B Meningitis and Septicaemia.

Jess woke up with one spot on the side of her head and seemed her normal self. Over the coming hours she became drowsy, sleepy, crying a lot and a pin prick like rash developed. We got her the out of hours doctors who gave her a diagnosis of Chicken Pox. On the way, home she was violently sick, once home and after a bath she slept soundly. Upon checking her we later found her rash had developed and was not fading with glass test. We called NHS 111 for advice who sent us an ambulance. We were blue lighted to the nearest hospital Emergency department where a team of medical staff were waiting on the door for us. Luckily for us, one of the team had seen Meningitis before and gave instruction that Jess was to be immediately treated for Meningitis. The next few hours became a blur of tests, wires, oxygen masks, cannulas, and a tiny little girl on a huge bed surrounded my doctors and nurses. Over the coming days, many tests were done including a Lumbar Puncture which gave a confirmed diagnosis of Group B Meningitis and Septicaemia. We spent 3 weeks on the Children's Ward at Kent and Canterbury Hospital where she was successfully treated and nursed back to health by an amazing team of doctors.

After discharge, there were many follow up appointments - brain scans, scans, paediatricians, all of which we were discharged from over the months after.

Last year at the age of 23, Jess was diagnosed with 60/40% hearing loss in both ears which the specialist has put down to her having Meningitis. Things such as tinnitus, ear pain and Jess just knowing something wasn't right with her hearing, lead her to explore her hearing issues and a diagnosis to be made. This was a big life changing diagnosis for her which has meant adjustments to her life but we do know how lucky Jess has been.

Meningitis Now is an amazing charity supporting those affected by Meningitis by providing support directly , within the community, with their helpline, peer support , bereavement support and advising on financial support. The charity aims to educate about the disease and to become a Centre of Excellence for aftercare and support.

Meningitis Now is the first meningitis patient group in the world, founders of the meningitis movement and the only charity dedicated to fighting meningitis in the UK. Since 1986 they have invested over £12.7m in early stage research. The money I raise will help fund vital awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease (it's not just the glass test!), while supporting further research into meningitis and helping provide everything from counselling to adaptive equipment for those whose lives have been changed forever by meningitis.