Harlow man runs London Marathon after fiancée survives meningitis twice 

A 31-year-old man from Harlow is taking on the London Marathon to raise funds for Meningitis Research Foundation after his fiancée, Hannah Ewing, survived meningitis twice in less than six months.

Ryan Dunne’s partner was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis in November 2024 and placed in a medically induced coma for eight days as doctors fought to save her life. After emerging from the coma, she had to relearn basic skills such as walking and speaking, experienced severe delirium and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and was left with permanent hearing loss.

Now, Ryan is planning to take on the 26.2-mile course to give back to a cause close to their hearts.

“Training for the London Marathon is a huge physical challenge, but it is not even a comparison to what Hannah has been through,” Ryan said. “After being diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis in November 2024, she had to fight for her life in a coma and later relearn how to walk and talk. She has faced PTSD and permanent hearing loss and even had to battle the disease a second time in 2025. It’s an honour to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation, a charity that supported Hannah when we needed it most.”

After Hannah’s first discharge from hospital, she reached out to Meningitis Research Foundation for support. The charity’s Support Services provided critical guidance on follow-up care and helped connect her with therapy services for her PTSD – support that Ryan says made “a huge difference” as they rebuilt their lives.

Tragically, Hannah was diagnosed with meningitis again in March 2025, with a complication during a lumbar puncture leaving her temporarily wheelchair bound. She continues to work through physiotherapy.

“When mile 20 comes around and I’m thinking of slowing down or walking, I’ll just think of Hannah and the countless people who need Meningitis Research Foundation’s help. Thinking of them will see me through to the finish line,” Ryan said.

Hannah is among those sharing her story through Meningitis in your words, helping to build the world’s largest digital collection of meningitis experiences. Told in people’s own words, each story helps to foster understanding, offer comfort and, above all, save lives. The goal is to collect 2,030 stories – reflecting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 and highlighting the real-life impact of the disease on families and communities worldwide.

Hannah said: “Watching my fiancé run the London Marathon for Meningitis Research Foundation means more than I can put into words. After everything meningitis has put us through, every mile he runs is filled with love, strength and gratitude for the support that Meningitis Research Foundation gave us.”

Maya Groom, Senior National Events Executive at Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “Meningitis can have a life-changing impact not only on those who become ill, but on the people closest to them. Ryan and Hannah’s experience shows just how devastating and unpredictable this disease can be.

“This year, more than 200 runners are taking on the London Marathon for Meningitis Research Foundation, and 93% have a personal connection to meningitis. We’re incredibly grateful to Ryan for turning such a difficult experience into something positive by raising funds and awareness that will help others affected by this disease.”

Read Hannah’s Meningitis in your words story.

Donate to Ryan’s fundraiser.