“You can never do too little, as much time as you have is always needed. It’s so rewarding knowing you've achieved something each day and helping to save lives.”
“Whilst at university in 2008 I contracted viral meningitis, but ignored the symptoms as I was not aware of the disease.
“After booking to see two GPs, who both stated I should rest as it was the flu, I went home and collapsed in my bedroom.
“Luckily, before I collapsed, I called my mother and started swearing. In all my life I had never sworn in front of my mother. Immediately using her mother’s instinct she called me back and when there was no answer she called 999.
Taken to A&E
“When the ambulance attended my flat they took me to A&E, where I was officially diagnosed with viral meningitis.
“Meningitis still impacts me as I struggle with memory loss at times and my family are always in fear that I’ll contract it again.
“After being discharged from the hospital I wanted to know more about meningitis so searched online and found Meningitis Now so I called up their Helpline and spoke to a nurse who gave me some great advice and really reassured me.
Volunteering
“I’ve since become a volunteer ambassador and helped out at university stands, and Ride London. I’m a keen cyclist myself and supporting at that event was one of my favourites. I also raise awareness at universities, care homes and sixth form colleges.
“You can never do too little, as much time as you have is always needed. It’s so rewarding, you’ve achieved something each day and helped to save lives. I wish that I had spoken to someone with lived meningitis experience before I had it because it would have definitely helped.”
A year after he recovered from meningitis Charles wrote a poem about the experience which you can read below.
Meningitis for all
Flulike symptoms is all I hear, but being turned away by two doctors is what I feared.
All alone with this brain bug ready to pounce, collapsing in pain with such a clout.
A mother’s senses prompts her to call for an ambulance, For her disoriented son leaves her in silence.
Two weeks in hospital fighting to recover, remembering how to walk becomes such a bother.
True friends make the journey to see how I’m doing, for counselling is needed for some reassurance.
A final message goes out to you all is that Meningitis affects us all
If you are interested in volunteering or want to learn more about being a volunteer check out our website.
