About Stuart's Fundraising

As an incredibly fortunate survivor of Meningitis (meningococcal septicaemia) myself, I thought it was time I did something to help raise awareness and funds in support of those many families effected by this terrible disease that kills over 1000 people every day, and leaves many more Children as amputees to struggle on through life.

Below is a video I've made about an adorable little boy called Myles to give you some insight to what Meningitis is about... 

Please, its important you watch the video.... and donate!.

https://youtu.be/xsE-t_WWwoI

Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page. 

And of course, for your donation.

Stuart 

About the Marathon Des Sables 

The Marathon Des Sables is described at the toughest footrace on the planet (Discovery Channel) and features over 150 miles in 6 days across the Sahara Desert, in 50 degree heat, over sand dunes and jebels, carrying all my food and equipment in my backpack. The longest of 6 stages is 55 miles, and I will be doing the equivalent of 5 1/2 regular marathons in total. I will be running on uneven, rocky, stony ground with 20% of the distance through the sand dunes avoiding the snakes. There is no doubt, this is going to be the challenge of my life...

https://marathondessables.co.uk/race-overview/ 

My experience of Meningitis

I want to raise money for this cause because I know how deadly this disease can be. I was a first year student at Loughborough University in 1997 when I became seriously unwell. I’d been to visit my girlfriend Jo - now my wife - who was studying at the University of Southampton. Southampton had a mini outbreak of meningitis which was all over the news.

Two days later, back at Loughborough, I woke up in my dorm at about 3am feeling awful. I had a really stiff neck and I was shivering cold even with loads of layers on. I got out of bed and walked to the medical centre on campus. I saw a nurse who gave me the once over and sent me back to bed.

I left my door open so my friends next door could see I was unwell when they woke up.

By morning I was being sick, felt very dizzy and I must have been semi unconscious. One of my best friends, Charlie, came to get me for breakfast and lectures. Charlie saw I was really unwell and pretty much carried me back to the medical centre and saved my life.

As soon as I got there the doctor gave me a shot of penicillin and then sent me off in an ambulance to Leicester Royal Infirmary. I was taken into intensive care and my parents were called to come up from Kent.

It turned out I had meningococcal septicaemia, and the septicaemia was beginning to show in my left index finger which had gone all black. Luckily I started to respond to the medication and I spent a week in hospital recovering. The doctors said I was incredibly lucky, two hours later and it would have been too late. While I have made a full recovery, trying to concentrate on my studies in the few years after was really hard, I just couldn't retain any information.

Since then I’ve met another family affected by the disease. Natalie and Mark King sadly lost their baby boy Myles to meningococcal septicaemia when he was just seven weeks old. I’ve taken on this massive challenge because I want to raise funds so that MRF can keep supporting families like Myles. 

About  the Meningitis Research Foundation

Meningitis and septicaemia are serious, life threatening illnesses that advances throughout the body in a matter hours. 10% of the population have the germs in the back of their throat. Everyday.

Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges, which is the lining around the brain and spinal cord, caused mainly by germs entering the body.

Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs that can cause meningitis.

Meningitis and septicaemia are illnesses that can kill in hours

Anyone, anywhere of any age can get meningitis and septicaemia.

Being able to recognise the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia is vital because early recognition and treatment provide the best chance of a good recovery.

Rob Dawson, Director of Support at MRF said “We’re so grateful to Stuart for taking on this immense challenge and we wish him good luck. Any donations people can make will help us enormously with
our vital work including our research, awareness and support programmes."

https://www.meningitis.org/meningitis/what-is-meningitis

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