15 Years On and Still Going Strong

[Jonad724]

As some of you may know I had near fatal viral meningitis in July 2002. I wasn't expected to last the night on the 13th July let alone be around and kicking some 15 years on. So what does it feel like to be 15 years on from a life changing experience? In a word, pretty awesome. OK so that's two words but I'm sure you get the drift.

In that 15 years I have completed 35 triathlons including 3 half ironman races, two stand alone half marathons, seen both my daughters get married, become a grandpa and this year I was honoured to be asked to be a Community Ambassador for Meningitis Now. Now there are charities and then there's Meningitis Now. To misquote Winston Churchill: never in the field of human illness has so much been done for so many by so few. I was privileged to be able to tell my story at the recent MN Carol Service in London and to meet the some of the team and what an amazing team it is too. For a charity which doesn't receive any government funding and relies on donations and fund raising (suffice to say the triathlons have been in support of the charity) they achieve so much with so little.

If you or a loved one has had meningitis I think you'll agree with me that this is just about the scariest and most immediately worrying word in the world. Meningitis Now helps people pick up the pieces after an attack and supports those who are bereaved.

There are so many pressing needs from charities in the world but please, this festive season, if you can spare something to support Meningitis Now to help keep this page and their work going please donate it at meningitisnow.org/.

The charity hasn't asked me to write this post so this is a personal plea from someone that is really grateful to have had 15 pretty awesome years and the chance to volunteer with some really awesome people at Meningitis Now.

I wish you a peaceful festive season and all the very best for 2018. Jonathan (I'm the one of the right!)

[RestisBest]

Way da go Jonathan, great post. It

Is a joy to read a post like yours, it gives me strength to keep the hope and brighten my horizon.

Merry Christmas, and a happy New year to you and your family.

[StrawberryCream]

You are an inspiration to us all Jonathan with all you have achieved since your life threatening viral meningitis. You are a great community ambassador for Meningitis Now and well deserved to be selected by them. I wish you a very happ Christmas and very best wishes for 2018.

[Jonad724 in reply to StrawberryCream]

Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot to me. I hope you and yours have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year :-).

[Lorna26]

Merry Christmas and thanks for all you do. I’m 4 years post BM and agree, this is a great charity for Support etc. Prompt for a donation quite right, it is the season of giving so I’ll do that tonight! Best Xo

[Jonad724 in reply to Lorna26]

Thank you Lorna 😊