On the 14th of August 2023, my brother was found unconscious and unresponsive at home in Manchester. He was rushed to the Royal Manchester Hospital, where he was induced into a coma and put on life support for a week. He then spent another week and a bit in ICU and then HDU, and subsequently moved to a normal ward within the hospital. At discharge, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Meningoencephalitis.

Meningoencephalitis is where there is inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain (the Meninges) in addition to the brain tissue itself (Encephalitis). When Encephalitis occurs with Meningitis, it becomes life threatening.

The correct diagnosis and treatment was only changed from Acute Meningitis to Acute Lymphocytic Meningoencephalitis with the help of Encephalitis International and the Meningitis Research Foundation. Specialists and members of these two charities provided us with the information and understanding to empower us to challenge and ensure Doctors explored all options and all basis were covered. This lead to the diagnosis of his condition being changed which subsequently enabled his best possible medical recovery; Thank you to the following very special people;

⚬ Jon Ainley from the Encephalitis International

⚬ Professor Michael Benedict from Encephalitis International

⚬ Cat Shehu from Meningitis Research Foundation

⚬ Dr Fiona McGill from Meningitis Research Foundation

⚬ Professor Ray Burrow from Meningitis Research Foundation

We are extremely grateful to have my brother still here and we couldn't be prouder of the resilience and fight he showed to get through it and get back to University. Although things have changed a lot since discharge we are on our way to a 100% recovery.

In thanks and to celebrate my brothers recovery and raise awareness of Encephalitis and Meningitis I will be running the 2024 London Marathon on Sunday 21st of April for the charities that supported us through the hardest time - hoping to give back not only donations but to raise awareness for this life threatening condition.

Any donation however small we are grateful for. However, if not possible please take a couple of minutes to look through the websites on the two conditions my brother had to gain a greater understanding.

I will post updates on my training and progress as it gets closer to raceday but in the mean time thank you for taking the time to read and may 2024 bring you health and happiness.

Anna-Marie x