King of the Jungle Joe Swash is named as Meningitis UK's new patron

KING of the Jungle and popular actor Joe Swash has pledged his support to charity Meningitis UK after his own battle with the killer brain bug left him fighting for his life.

The former Eastenders star thought he was going to die after being struck down by a rare form of viral meningitis in September 2005.

Now he's sharing his experiences to coincide with World Meningitis Day on Saturday (APRIL 25) - a day of global action to raise awareness of the deadly disease.

Meningitis left Joe struggling with his coordination and speech, fearing his acting dreams would be shattered.

But, three years on and fully recovered, Joe captured the nation's affections by winning I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

He's now putting his life-changing experience to good use as a patron for Meningitis UK, which funds research into finding a vaccine to eradicate the deadly disease.

Joe knows just how devastating meningitis can be, as it led to his gran Betty's death in 1999.

Kelly Crisp, a friend from drama school, also lost her two-year-old daughter Jessica to meningococcal septicaemia after initially being misdiagnosed.

Joe, who played Mickey Miller in Eastenders for 359 episodes, remembers how he first fell ill after the Inside Soap awards.

He said: "I went to bed and at about 2am my girlfriend at the time woke me up because I was groaning.

"I couldn't feel the left side of my body. I tried to talk but couldn't move my lips. Sheer terror came over me.

"At first I thought I'd had a stroke, then I started panicking at the thought I might never be able to work again."

Joe's mum Kiffy, who lived nearby, rushed to his aid. By this point he was vomiting uncontrollably, shaking and having cold sweats.

Violent headaches started en route to hospital as Joe slipped in and out of consciousness.

He added: "I was certain I was going to die. My family were told to expect the worse and mum thought she'd lost me as I looked so ill - like a rag doll with completely lifeless limbs.

"It felt like someone was kicking me in the back of the head. I've never felt pain like it."

Tests revealed Joe had meningoencephalitis - a rare form of viral meningitis which causes inflammation of the brain.

There are more than 6,000 cases of viral meningitis in the UK every year and meningoencephalitis is one of the most serious complications.

Bacterial meningitis is much more dangerous, killing around 300 people each year. Those who survive are often left with after-effects including deafness, blindness, limb loss, learning difficulties, memory issues and behavioural problems.

Joe spent a total of six weeks in hospital and needed three months off work to recover.

Joe said: "Having had meningitis myself I know what people go through with it and also what they constantly go through after having had it.

"I'm lucky because hundreds of people die each year and those who survive are often left with disabilities.

"I feel it is vital that Meningitis UK can raise as much awareness of the dangers of meningitis and its symptoms as possible so that lives can be saved.

"I am proud to show my support for Meningitis UK and do what I can to help eradicate this disease."

Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B - the most common form of meningitis in the UK, which accounts for 90 per cent of cases.

Kate Rowland, Head of Development at Meningitis UK, said: "It is fantastic that Joe has agreed to be a patron of Meningitis UK to coincide with World Meningitis Day. His own experiences and the sad death of his gran show just how devastating the disease can be.

"Joe's support really means a lot to us and we hope it will help highlight the importance of spotting the symptoms quickly and the need to fund research to find a vaccine to eradicate meningitis.

"We are confident that with enough support and persistent research, we can put a stop to this awful disease and spare people the heartache thousands of families have suffered by losing a loved one to meningitis."

To find out more about Meningitis UK or to support the charity's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, call 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org.

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