Meningitis stories

Margaret shares the heartbreaking story of her nephew Calum, who passed away aged 12 having just returned to school after a flu virus

Mum Arlene could only watch in horror as a purple rash spread over 5-year-old Leon's body as he battled MenB and septicaemia

Tim, from Totterdown in Bristol, was one of the children caught up in the original meningitis outbreak in Stroud in the 1980s that saw the birth of Meningitis Now. He tells his story here

Kevin contracted viral meningitis as a child, but wasn't treated until damage to his optic nerve had been done. He now co-hosts a podcast encouraging men to talk about their struggles in life

Phoebe contracted bacterial meningitis at just three years old; luckily mum Charlotte trusted her instinct that something wasn't right

Alfie has made a good recovery after being diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, but the speed at which he became unwell was dramatic, as mum Stephanie recounts

When Holly became unwell, mum Rachel recognised some of the signs and symptoms from when she had had bacterial meningitis before

After contracting meningococcal septicaemia as a 2-year-old, Xavier, now 22, has been left with severe after-effects. Mum Lynn tells their story

Laura and John weren't initially concerned when Sadie picked up an ear infection, but when her temperature wouldn't come down and she started vomiting they knew something was wrong

Ten minutes after returning home, Nadia was rushing daughter Ebonie to hospital where she was treated for bacterial meningitis. While she pulled through, Ebonie has been left with complex after-effects

Eight months after having to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off her son's life support machine, mum Katie recounts the events leading to her loss of four year old Enzo

Having recovered from meningococcal septicaemia aged 2, Luke - now 21 - is raising money and awareness of meningitis

Katie was seven years old when she began to feel unwell on Christmas Eve. Luckily, her mum quickly recognised the symptoms and rushed her to hospital

Conor, one of our Believe & Achievers, has contracted meningitis on three separate occasions in the last seven years, and is encouraging everyone to be aware of their health

Emma didn't suspect meningitis when Poppy fell ill as there was no rash. Luckily, she didn't wait for one to appear before seeking medical help; something that likely saved Poppy's life

Madeleine was only given a 50/50 chance of survival when she broke out in a rash aged 2 years old. Mum Lisa tells her story

Carol tragically lost her three-year-old daughter Akira to meningitis within 24-hours of the signs and symptoms appearing.

Thanks to her dad's quick thinking, 7-year-old Kaylie quickly got the treatment she needed. Kaylie's after-effects have made things tough, but she is determined to fight and live a happy life

Quick-thinking from mum Joanne meant that 2 year old Ruaridh was treated quickly when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia. Joanne tells their story

Ethan's illness started with a "squelching" noise in his ear, but what initially seemed to be an ear infection developed into something much more serious