Group B Streptococcus is the UK's most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies and of meningitis in babies under age 3 months. On average in the UK, at least

• two babies a day develop a group B Strep infection

• one baby a week dies from their GBS infection, and

• one baby a week survives with long-term disabilities physical, mental or both.

Yet most group B Strep infections are preventable. Group B Strep Support informs families and health professionals about group B Strep to save tiny lives.

After I gave birth to our first daughter, Erin, at only a day old, the hospital suspected she had meningitis as a result of a GBS infection, which I had, inadvertently, passed on to her during a long and difficult labour which resulted in emergency c-section. She was immediately put on antibiotics and taken away from me multiple times to endure 4 lumbar punctures at just a few hours old, to try to ascertain whether she did, indeed, have meningitis, as a result of the GBS infection. Thankfully, she did not and after a short stay in hospital (during Covid) we made it home, largely, unscathed. We frequently reflect on what might have been and how our lives could have been horrifically different. Mark and I are grateful every day for our beautiful daughter, Erin (and now her sister, Poppy, too - for whom we were able to take all the necessary precautions to guard against GBS during labour).

I was unaware of the Group B Strep infection before having Erin. I now support the charity where I can and try to raise awareness in my small circle. It is unlike me to share my private life this widely, but I hope, in doing so, you will be able to help me to support an incredibly worthy and under-recognised charity. But most importantly, in sharing our experience, I hope to help spread awareness of GBS in pregnancy. Thank you 😊