I am running the London Marathon 2021 (delayed from April 2020) in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation because I want to help them achieve their goal of defeating meningitis and septicaemia wherever they exist having suffered from the disease myself. The date of the marathon may have shifted but the training won't go to waste - on October 3rd I'll be ready.

At the age of 20, I contracted bacterial meningitis (meningococcal septicaemia) while a student at university. After 3 days ill in bed, my housemate forced me to go to my local GP who fortunately spotted the symptoms (which can be passed off as flu), referring me to hospital for treatment. The doctors told my parents that had I not gone to hospital that day, I probably wouldn't have survived the night. 

I am fully aware that I am one of the lucky ones who was diagnosed in time, making a full recovery after 2 weeks in hospital and more rehabilitation time at home. Others aren't so fortunate - losing their sight, hearing, limbs or their lives.

1 in 10 people who get bacterial meningitis will die.
1 in 5 people who get bacterial meningitis are left with a life changing impairment, like brain injury or limb loss.

This is a disease that can affect anyone but particularly babies, children and young adults so please give what you can and try not to laugh when you see me crawling down The Mall gasping for a pint.

Thanks, Ian.