MELKSHAM runner Aimee Frew has taken on the brave challenge of running 200 miles to raise money for Meningitis Research Foundation after surviving the disease as a child.

Mrs Frew, 29 of Spa Road, will be taking on the gruelling run over the course of 18 races, made up of 10 half marathons, seven 10ks and one full marathon throughout a 10 month period.

She was inspired to do the race after hearing about the work of the charity after she survived the disease in 1991, at the age of five.

Mrs Frew said: “I can remember waking up in the night really wobbly and hot, and zigzagging my way across the hall to the bathroom where I tried to sit on the toilet, missed and fell flat on the floor instead,” she said.

“I remember my mum taking me to the doctors and getting an injection, which I was very annoyed about as it hurt, and being taken by ambulance to hospital. I don’t really recall much after that until I got a lot better, and I used to hear the nurses talking about me while they thought I was asleep.

“I also remember my dad sitting next to me on a little chair for hours on end making little Plasticine models. I am very lucky to have survived with no side effects.”

Mrs Frew, who has lived in Melksham for the last two years, works as an export accounts manager at Wild and Wolf in Bath. She said her colleagues and husband have been supporting her in getting to the fundraising target of £2,500 by going on training runs together.

She added: “I want to run these miles for the charity to raise awareness, support and hopefully some money for such a wonderful charity, and one that is so close to my heart.

“I’ve only been running for two years and I have quite a long way to go but I have so much support behind me and I think meningitis is something that needs publicising more.”

Mrs Frew’s next running event is on July 19 at the Frome Half Marathon which she will be taking on with her husband.

Chris Head, chief executive at Meningitis Research Foundation said: “We are extremely grateful to Aimee for running 200 miles on our behalf.

“As she is aware meningitis and septicaemia are deadly diseases which can strike without warning, killing in hours.

“We rely on voluntary donations to fund our vital work into the prevention, detection and treatment of the diseases and support those affected, so every penny she raises by running will make a huge difference to the charity.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/Aimee-Frew2.