Mary Garley

We lost our granddaughter, Maisie, in 2008, to meningitis; she was just eight months old. She was taken to hospital early in the morning of 15 October - she was sent home after being told it was just a virus.

That afternoon she was taken to another hospital and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. She was sent late that night to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Her little body could not take any more and she left us on the morning of 16 October. Just 24 hours and she was gone.

Meningitis Now was there for our family; just a phone call away. I wanted to do something to help this wonderful charity, so I started to volunteer. I have been volunteering now for a number of years. It is my therapy, my way of coping. I give out symptoms cards and information to universities, nurseries and surgeries. I also cheer our runners and cyclists and have arranged Toddle Waddles. But, mostly I tell people – I tell them that meningitis is a disease that can affect anyone, NOT JUST CHILDREN. This to me is an important and vital message to get out there.