A 21-YEAR-OLD who lost both her legs to meningitis met with MP Steve Barclay in March on Friday - calling on him to support a campaign to get children immunised against the disease.

Nicole Wilson, from Sutton, was diagnosed with Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia at the age of 16, while on holiday in Cyprus.

She said: “After spending three weeks in hospital, I was flown back to the UK in an air ambulance. As a result of Men B I had to have both legs below the knee amputated as well as the tips of all my fingers and one thumb.

“I also suffered renal failure and recently underwent a kidney transplant. I’m lucky to be alive and see each day as a gift, and I’d do anything to help others avoid what happened to me.”

Nicole is now supporting Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF)’s campaign ‘Counting the Cost of Meningitis’ which shows the shocking lifelong financial costs of surviving meningitis and septicaemia.

The campaign is calling on the Government to pursue the widest and earliest implementation of vaccines to prevent the diseases.

Meningitis and septicaemia are deadly diseases that can strike anyone without warning, killing one in 10, and leaving a quarter of survivors with lifelong after effects.

Nicole met NE Cambs MP Mr Barclay at March Library on Friday - urging him to support the campaign.

She asked him to write to the Secretary of State for Health calling for a Men B vaccine to be included in the childhood immunisation schedule as soon as one that is safe and effective is available, and for the government to change its criteria for assessing the value of vaccination.

Christopher Head, Chief Executive of MRF, said: “‘Counting the Cost of Meningitis’ shows how those who survive can struggle to come to terms with the impact of these horrific diseases which change lives forever.

“Our campaign makes practical recommendations to the Government to reduce the burden of disease through vaccination in the UK.

“Vaccination provides peace of mind for every parent across the country and to date over 4,000 people agree with us and have signed our online petition at www.meningitis.org/sign.

“I appeal to the people of Cambridgeshire to sign our petition too and join the fight against meningitis and septicaemia.”