In 1992, my family was forever changed when my baby brother Simon died from meningitis. He was just eight months old.
Simon had a rash and seemed unusually lethargic, but when my parents took him to the GP, his symptoms were tragically misdiagnosed. By the next day, when his condition hadn't improved, they rushed him to the hospital - but it was already too late. Simon was pronounced brain dead. The grief and shock from that moment still live with us to this day.
Losing Simon so suddenly was devastating, and we've lived with the pain of that loss ever since. Now, as someone who has recently experienced the heartbreak of losing my own baby, the weight of what my parents and sister went through - and what so many others still go through - feels even more raw and real.
That’s why I’m running the London Marathon in memory of Simon. Every step I take will be for him. For the sibling I never got to know or grow up with. For the life that ended far too soon. And for the countless families affected by meningitis every year.
In 1992, awareness of meningitis symptoms wasn’t what it is today. If the signs had been better known - if more people had known to act quickly - Simon might still be here. That’s why sharing stories like ours is so important. It’s not just about remembering those we’ve lost. It’s about making sure others don’t have to go through the same pain.
If you’re reading this, please take a moment to learn the signs of meningitis. A rash, fever, cold hands and feet, confusion, sensitivity to light and extreme tiredness can all be red flags. Trust your instincts. Seek help.
Simon should still be here. I carry him in my heart every day - and he’ll be with me every mile of this marathon.