Charity challenge from golden girl Sarah

07.01.10

OLYMPIC golden girl Sarah Dempsey is urging people to take on a charity challenge that's close to her heart this new year.

The double-gold medallist, who was struck down by the devastating meningitis bug aged 15, hopes to encourage people to add a fundraiser to their 2010 resolutions.

Mum-of-one Sarah, from Weymouth, made a remarkable recovery after the deadly meningococcal septicaemia strain of the disease left her in a three-day coma in 1995.

She went on to sail to fame at the Athens and Beijing Games and is now working hard to gain selection to represent Great Britain in the home Games of 2012.

As a patron of Meningitis UK, Sarah hopes to encourage others to support the charity, raise awareness of the disease and the need to find a vaccine to eradicate it.

Sarah, 29, said: "I would like to encourage readers to consider adding a challenge to their list of new year's resolutions for 2010.

"The charity has a wide selection of awe-inspiring and exciting activities for people to choose from, which will not only help them to get fit but also to raise money for a great cause.

"Aside from places in many popular running events, opportunities also include skydives and expeditions both overseas and in the United Kingdom.

"Ideas close to home include a cycle from London to Paris or climbing the Three Peaks in under 24 hours.

"There are also more unusual adventures like treks, horse riding, white water rafting and sailing.

"Challenges cover various difficulty levels, so there's something for everyone."

She added: "I would urge people to fundraise for Meningitis UK because six families a week still lose a loved one to meningitis, and many hundreds are left with devastating after-affects.

"Thankfully, I was lucky to pull through and be able to go on to achieve my sailing dreams."

Meningitis UK works to beat this disease and spare thousands of families the heartache of losing a loved one in the future.

To find out more about doing a charity challenge or to obtain a free information pack on the disease visit www.meningitisuk.org or call 0117 373 7373

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