A Wellingborough woman is taking on this year’s London Marathon for us to say thank you for her daughter surviving devastating meningitis
Emily Charter’s baby daughter Polly was rushed to hospital with a high temperature and unusually mottled skin in July 2016.
Numerous tests showed she had contracted bacterial meningitis, but after a two-week hospital stay the brave youngster was allowed home to continue her recovery.
Words cannot describe
Emily said, “Words cannot describe how you feel when being told your beautiful baby daughter has contracted meningitis."
“Polly was perfect in every way but our lives were turned upside down at just under four weeks old when we had to take her to our local A & E department.”
The 31-year-old mother of two added, “Within hours of us being there, Polly was taken away, had numerous blood tests, a lumbar puncture, a cannula inserted and was on antibiotics."
“After a two-week stay in hospital, antibiotics and regular observation from the fantastic staff, we were told we could take our beautiful daughter home, hopefully with no lasting after-effects."
Forever grateful
“We will be forever grateful for the treatment she received and are now enjoying watching Polly smile, grow, thrive and play with her big sister Millie after beating this terrible life-threatening and debilitating infection."
“We are one of the lucky ones and have come away from this with a beautiful, happy and cheeky 2-year-old.”
Emily added, “Meningitis Now is a fantastic charity that is not only helping to try and stop meningitis but also providing physical and emotional support for people who have been affected and their families."
“I am so proud to be running in the charity’s orange this April. Please sponsor me and help change lives.”
You can support Emily’s efforts on her charity page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EmilyCharter.
Good luck in the marathon Emily, and thanks for the support – we’ll be there cheering you on!