We have been chosen as the featured charity of October’s BBC Lifeline Appeal.
Every month, BBC One broadcasts a ten-minute appeal film on behalf of a chosen charity through its programme Lifeline.
On October 4th 2026, our appeal video, featuring the voices and experiences of real people affected by meningitis, including Graeme and Gail, David and Russell and Arthur and Alex, will go live.
Here are the stories the appeal film features. They help show how meningitis can change lives in an instant and why no one should have to face the aftermath alone.
Graeme & Gail
In 2016, Graeme and Gail’s 23-year-old daughter Katherine came home from work feeling unwell. Within five hours she was on a life-support machine. Katherine died seven days later of pneumococcal meningitis, having never regained consciousness.
Graeme told us: “Katherine was deeply compassionate and always had time for everyone. She was known for her beautiful smile, her infectious laugh, and for giving the biggest and warmest hugs.
“Katherine's caring nature defined her path. After achieving a first in her degree, she qualified as a Midwife in 2014 and began her career at our local teaching hospital. She loved delivering babies, but her sensitive nature struggled with the constraints of the NHS system. So, she decided to leave to pursue teaching.
Looking forward to the future
“When she became ill, she was finalising her application to St. Mary's University for her PGCE. She was looking forward to the future. The speed of what happened next is still difficult to believe.
“On the morning of 7th October 2016, Katherine mentioned an earache, but said she felt well enough to go into work at a local Junior School where she was a peripatetic teaching assistant. By lunchtime, she had been sent home. Thinking it was just an ear infection, we made a GP appointment for that afternoon.
“Whilst at the surgery, Katherine deteriorated rapidly. She became confused, lethargic, and then lost consciousness. She went my ambulance to the same hospital where she had previously worked, intubated, and admitted to the ICU. The diagnosis was pneumococcal meningitis.
“We spent several long, traumatic days at her bedside, waiting and willing her to make the slightest improvement. None came. On 12th October, the doctors confirmed that the damage to Katherine's brain was irreparable.
Big-hearted girl
“On 14 October 2016, Katherine died. We lost our precious, big-hearted girl to this devastating disease. Her final act was to donate her heart, kidneys, and liver, saving the lives of four people. That is her legacy.
“And then, it was simply over. We had just experienced the worst pain any parent could face, losing our child and having to carry out her final wishes. And yet, we were allowed to leave the hospital with nothing. No support. No guidance on bereavement. No advice on where to turn next. We were left completely bereft and adrift.
“Through school and university we made sure Katherine had all her vaccinations and, as far as we were concerned, she was covered against all possible illnesses. We knew nothing about meningitis, it was, as far as we were concerned, a childhood or adolescent disease.
“In our desperation, I searched online and found Meningitis Now. The team came to our aid instantly, and they have remained a pillar of strength for us ever since. In truth, without their incredibly dedicated team, I am not entirely sure where we would be today.”
As Meningitis Now Community Ambassadors Graeme and Gail see their role as a way to raise awareness, provide an informed view of meningitis, and promote the invaluable work of Meningitis Now.
David & Russell
David, from Whitstable in Kent, was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia in January 2024 and spent over a year in hospital. By his side through it all was his husband, Russell.
David was not expected to survive but, against the odds, he pulled through. The illness left him with life-changing after-effects including an acquired brain injury, double amputation affecting both feet, epilepsy, profound deafness in one ear and severe deafness in the other, speech difficulties, memory loss, concentration issues, mobility problems, tissue damage and ongoing complex care needs.
Since being discharged home in February 2025, David and Russell have faced significant challenges accessing the rehabilitation and support David needs. Progress has been hindered by delays to referrals, limited physiotherapy and occupational therapy provision, ongoing wound healing issues and difficulties securing appropriate health and social care funding.
Main advocate
Russell has become David's main advocate and coordinator of care while also working and managing the increasing emotional and financial pressures on the family. Despite these challenges, David remains determined to improve and Russell continues to fight for access to rehabilitation opportunities that may improve David's independence and quality of life.
David can communicate and has made huge progress in communicating and interacting with family and friends. David has a care package in place due to the support of the Meningitis Now Helpline team. Russell firmly believes without our support this would not have happened.
The nurse-led Helpline has continued to provide ongoing case management support and emotional support to David and Russell.
Physical therapy
The Rebuilding Futures Fund has provided two awards to David, including one for physical therapy and one for a battery pack to be added to David’s wheelchair to make movement and manoeuvrability easier.
David can now access more places outdoors and it has greatly helped Russell as he was struggling to push David in his chair. They are now able to go to more places safely together.
Russell said: “Really want to say how wonderful you and your team have been. I don’t think the two of us would have survived the trials this has thrown at us without your support.”
Arthur Peters
Arthur, from North Yorkshire, was 22 months old when he contracted bacterial meningitis in 2022, resulting in total profound loss in both ears.
He was just starting to babble and could say a couple of words such as ‘mumma’ and ‘bye bye’.
Arthur underwent cochlear implant surgery in 2023. His cochlear implants use 22 electrodes to model sound for Arthur. They cannot restore natural sound but, with the right support, they should enable him to hear and interpret spoken language, allowing him to develop spoken language himself.
Communication skills
Arthur’s mum, Alex, enrolled him in specialist auditory verbal therapy (AVT), which helped him develop his listening and communication skills. However, the cost of such specialist therapy was expensive.
Arthur has received funding through our Rebuilding Futures Fund to support his AV therapy. The support has helped him develop spoken language, and therefore participate more fully in mainstream school and build friendships.
Arthur’s Mum, Alex, told us that, without the Rebuilding Futures Fund grants, the therapy sessions would not have been possible for the family. She said:
“As a parent of a child who has survived meningitis, I'm so grateful for the Rebuilding Futures Fund. He still has a way to go before his spoken language is age equivalent, but he is making progress.”
His is progressing
“Without this support, Arthur would be falling further behind, but he is progressing, which is great to see.”
“The therapy has made such a difference to Arthur. This support will be genuinely life-changing for him.”
The Lifeline appeal film will be aired on BBC1 - 12:35 pm on 4th October. It will then be repeated on BBC2 - 6th Oct at 01:05 am and 9th Oct BBC2 - 12:50 pm. The film will be available to view on the Lifeline website until 25th October 2026.
When the Lifeline Appeal goes live, you will be able to watch the appeal film and donate through our BBC Lifeline Appeal page. Please help us share our Lifeline Appeal with friends, family and your wider networks.
