Sheffield woman to run London Marathon after surviving meningitis twice 

Olivia Griffiths, a former secondary school teacher originally from Bangor in North Wales, first became seriously unwell in November 2022 after experiencing severe headaches, neck stiffness, sickness and dizziness. She was initially admitted to hospital with suspected viral meningitis but later deteriorated and was transferred to intensive care. Tests later confirmed bacterial meningitis and her family were told to prepare for the worst.

Olivia survived but was left with life-changing after-effects, including hearing loss, chronic fatigue, migraines, memory loss and coordination problems. After months of recovery, she attempted to return to work full time in September 2024 but contracted meningitis again, just two weeks later.

Following her second illness, Olivia developed severe anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), forcing her to leave her teaching career. She began rebuilding her life, retraining as a nutrition coach and Pilates instructor to manage her long-term symptoms.

Struggling with the physical and emotional impact of meningitis, Olivia reached out to Meningitis Research Foundation’s Support Services team and found reassurance, practical guidance and connection with others who understood her experience. Inspired by the support she received, she has since become an Ambassador for the charity, helping others affected by the disease.

One of the ways she has done this is by sharing her experience 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.

“I was once told I’d be chronically ill forever, that my life as I knew it had changed and that disability would be part of my future,” Olivia said. “To now be training for a marathon is something I never imagined. I’m running for those living with illness, disease and disability, and for everyone who has been directly impacted by this awful disease. Being part of Team MRF gives every mile meaning beyond myself.”

Maya Groom, Senior National Events Executive at Meningitis Research Foundation, said:

“Meningitis can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time – and it can kill within hours. Our vision is a world free from meningitis, and to achieve this we need to fund lifesaving research, improve access to vaccines and ensure support is available for every family affected.

“This year, more than 200 runners are taking on the London Marathon for Meningitis Research Foundation, and 93% have a personal experience of meningitis. We’re incredibly grateful to Olivia and all our runners who are turning their experiences into powerful action, raising vital funds and shining a spotlight on this devastating disease.”

Read Olivia’s Meningitis in your words entry.

Donate to Olivia’s fundraiser.