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Inspired to run for vaccine research

12.09.11

A BEDFORDSHIRE man is pulling on his running shoes for vaccine research after his wife was left unconscious for three days from a meningitis-like disease.

The time Tony Phillips' wife Jenny spent in hospital was terrifying for the whole family.

She has the condition Wegener's granulomatosis which causes an inflammation of the blood vessels. This disease usually affects the affects the nose, lungs, kidneys and other organs, but in 2008, it unusually led to a swelling of the lining of Jenny's brain.

On Sunday September 18, Tony, 45, will be running the Great North Run for Meningitis UK to help support vital life-saving research.

He said: "It got quite nasty when Jen was in hospital. She had inflammed meninges which is the lining of the brain and I would say it is very similar to what happens with bacterial meningitis. She had a shunt fitted to relieve some of the pressure.

"It is unusual for the condition she has to attack the brain. I felt moved to run for Meningitis UK because of what happened to her.

"Running the marathon is a great personal challenge and knowing that I'm doing it for such a good cause is a brilliant motivation.

"I have been training around three to four times a week and I got to 13.5 miles the other day which is the furthest I have ever run – so I am on track for Sunday."

Tony, from Flitwick, who works in a bank, will be cheered on by his wife and daughters – Jessica, 11, and Madeleine aged seven as he crosses the finish line.

He will be joined by around 40 people running the 13.1 miles for Meningitis UK which has the sole aim of finding vaccines to eradicate all forms of meningitis and associated diseases.

Meningitis UK chief executive, Steve Dayman, who lost his son Spencer to the disease, said: "I want to wish Tony the best of luck when he runs the Great North Run from the team here at Meningitis UK – we are extremely grateful for his support.

"With the help of supporters raising vital funds in events like this we are able to move closer towards achieving our sole aim of completely eradicating meningitis and associated diseases."

To find out more about Meningitis UK or to donate to the charity, call 0117 947 63 20 or visit www.meningitisuk.org.