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 & health professionals about group B Strep to save tiny lives.

Supporting this cause is close to our heart as our son, Rahul, developed a GBS infection when he was born in 2015, which led to sepsis and meningitis. He was critically ill and spent 3 weeks in neonatal intensive care at University College London Hospital. We were fortunate that he recovered and survived, however following a MRI scan we were informed that he had sustained a brain injury which might affect his mobility, learning and behaviour.

Rahul is now 3 years old and a real character as you might be able to tell from the photos. He is a happy, energetic and charming little boy. He has mild hemiplegia which primarily affects his movement and balance on the left side of his body. He attends weekly private physiotherapy to improve his coordination and supplement the other appointments and check ups provided by the NHS. 

Ultimately what Rahul went through could have been prevented with the appropriate screening, knowledge of GBS carrier status, and management during labour (via penicillin based IV antibiotics). This is a big gap in the screening offered to pregnant women in the UK by the NHS and more needs to be done to raise awareness.

Raj will be running 10km on 15th July through central London with Team GBSS.

Please give generously as every pound donated will also be matched by Deutsche Bank. All proceeds (less Just Giving admin fee) will go straight to the GBS Support chairty. To find out more about Group B Strep, please visit www.gbss.org.uk

Thank you for your support.

Raj & Davina Mehta