On April 27th 2025, I’ll be running the London Marathon for Meningitis Research Foundation.

Here’s why this charity is particularly important to me.

Prior to our meeting, in September 2019, my partner Jack was admitted to hospital with what he thought was severe food poisoning. After taking his jumper off, he found that he had rashes all over his skin and pretty quickly the nurses and doctors confirmed he had meningococcal meningitis.

Over the next 3-4 days the infection spread across his body, and there were times where the doctors and nurses thought that Jack was going to lose both of his legs and arms from the infection.

Remarkably, thanks to the amazing doctors and nurses, he only had to have the tips of three fingers amputated, as the blood had completely stopped going to them.

Jack spent around 2 weeks in the ICU, and another 2 weeks in the outpatient area, followed by extensive physio and appointments to help him walk/run again, and hand therapy post surgery.

Around 10-15 / 100 people lose their life from this horrible disease, and as many as 20% of people who survive will have long-term consequences, which may include deafness, limb loss, nerve damage, kidney damage, or brain damage. Jack was very lucky to survive and had great family support which helped a lot during the whole process.

Jack has played such a big part in my experience in Australia and always has such a positive energy considering all that has happened. I feel really passionate about helping this amazing charity, and families who have been affected by meningitis.

If you would like to donate and help me reach my target of £2000, I’d be very very grateful!