THE mother of Doddington’s Paralympic and World Champion Jonnie Peacock is raising awareness of the diseases which left her son fighting for his life.

Linda Roberts has been named as a regional ambassador for Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

Peacock was diagnosed with Meningococcal Meningitis and Septicaemia aged five in October 1998.

She said: “His three older sisters Bethany, Rebekah and Hannah had been ill with a virus so when Jonnie had a temperature I thought he had picked up the same bug.

“But over the weekend his condition deteriorated quickly, he was delirious and then covered in a bright red rash so I wrapped him in his duvet, bundled him in the car and rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

“Once they diagnosed Meningococcal Septicaemia we were advised to say our goodbyes as his condition was critical and he was induced into a coma to allow his body to fight the infection.

“After four days in hospital the doctors said he was going to survive but they weren’t sure how he would be affected physically and mentally.

“His brain survived but he lost his right leg below the knee and has had four further amputations since his first operation as his bones have grown.”

Meningitis and Septicaemia kill one in ten sufferers and leave a quarter of survivors with life altering after-effects ranging from deafness and brain damage to loss of limbs.

Ambassadors are active members of the charity who have personal experience of the diseases.

Mrs Roberts said: “Meningitis and Septicaemia are diseases you never expect to happen, but when they strike they can be devastating not just for the person who falls sick, but for their loved ones, family and friends.

“I’m honoured to have been asked to become an ambassador and will make sure my local community know what to look out for.”

To find out more about the symptoms visit www.meningitis.org or download the free iPhone App from www.bit.ly/MRFapp.