I want to continue to honour the memory of my Son Calvin by running in the 2024 London Marathon for Meningitis Now, a charity close to my heart.

Running the marathon is going to be physically and mentally tough. There’s a lot of training to be done as I’ve never done anything like this before. Knowing I’m keeping my son’s memory alive and trying to make a difference in his name is what will get me over the line.

I am raising money and spreading awareness about Meningitis which tragically and abruptly took his life at 7 and a half months old. I want to raise awareness because their a many different types and strains of Meningitis and it can infect anyone at any point in their life. I want to do my part so that one day families will never have to worry about Meningitis changing their lives for the worst.

On the 11th of November 2021 Calvin came into the world. We had an incredible 7 and a half months with our beautiful boy. Even managing to take him on a couple of unforgettable family holidays, until meningitis abruptly and devastatingly took him away from us on the 26 June 2022

Calvin was an amazing character even at such a young age his personality shone through. He was forever smiling, a great younger brother to our William, the most easy going and happy child we as parents could ask for.

With Calvin the illness was very subtle to start. On Wednesday evening we took him to the Doctor as he wasn’t himself. We were told it was just your normal everyday cold/flu that Babies and children get, and to just give him children’s painkillers and he will be fine. On Thursday he seemed more himself as he was eating again so we thought he was getting better. On Friday he took a turn for the worse so we took him to Cheo In Ottawa, which a children’s hospital. We were living in Canada at the time and all ready to move to Scotland in August of that year.

Within in 2 hours of arriving at the hospital they diagnosed him with having meningitis, a further 4 hours later he had a seizure and had to be put into an induced coma to try to slow down meningitis and to stop any more seizures.

Calvin was then taken to intensive care, and from then on the doctors did many tests to try to help him. They discovered that he had Meningococcal disease.

“Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection. It is the term used to describe two major illnesses – meningitis and septicaemia*.

These can occur on their own or more commonly both together. Most people will make a good recovery but at worst meningococcal disease causes severe illness that can rapidly result in death. Septicaemia is usually more life-threatening than meningitis.

A life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis.

There are vaccines to protect against some, but not all, strains of meningococcal bacteria.

Although most people will make a good recovery, some will be left with life-changing after-effects and some will die.”

After further observation Calvin showed signs of fighting off the infection and the Doctors thought he was going to be strong enough to bring out of his coma.

On Saturday night, just after midnight, Calvin had further complications and he was put back into his induced coma. Soon after that we heard the news that no parent ever wants to hear.

“There is nothing more that we could do, the bacterial meningitis has taken over his brain, all we can do is keep him comfortable until you are ready to say goodbye”.

Calvin we think about you everyday, you’ll always be in your hearts.

I love you so much my boy 💙

Here are some facts:

Meningococcal disease is still the most common cause of bacterial meningitis

Up to 10% of cases will result in death

Many people who contract meningococcal disease will make a good recovery, but some will suffer physical, neurological and psychological after-effects

It can strike at any age, but babies and young children are most at risk. The next most vulnerable group is teenagers and young people.

How is it caused?

Around 10% of the population carries meningococcal bacteria in the back of their throats at any given time. This is usually healthy carriage and helps develop immunity

Occasionally the bacteria defeat the body’s defences and cause infection

The bacteria are passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing and intimate kissing

The bacteria break through the lining at the back of the throat and pass into the bloodstream

They can travel in the bloodstream to infect the meninges, causing meningitis, or while in the bloodstream they can cause septicaemia

How is it treated?

Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia need urgent treatment with antibiotics and rapid admission to hospital. If treated promptly, meningitis and septicaemia are less likely to become life-threatening.

After-effects of meningococcal disease

Meningococcal meningitis can leave people with after-effects, including:

Memory loss

Behavioural and emotional problems

Loss of hearing

Loss of sight

Acquired brain injury

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