Meningitis survivor feels 'unstoppable' on UK run

A man who is running the length of the UK within 30 days after nearly dying from meningitis as a teenager says he feels "unstoppable."

Jack Stewart, from Bristol, is currently running the equivalent of an ultra marathon - every day from John O' Groats, in Scotland, to Land's End in Cornwall to raise money for Meningitis Research Foundation.

The 30-year-old was initially misdiagnosed with a virus as a 14-year-old in 2009, and a day later his symptoms worsened and he nearly died from meningitis.

"It's been so overwhelming," said Jack's mum, Shelly. "It's just brought a lot of emotion back from 16 years ago and the support is just unbelievable."

Shelly said Jack was sent home ill from school one day in 2009, with symptoms including "feeling delirious, vomiting and not wanting the light on."

Doctors told Shelly Jack had a virus but a day later, Jack was rushed to Bristol Children's Hospital where he was diagnosed with meningitis.

"They told us it would be a 24-hour fight between meningitis and the medication that they've given him and they said it's basically who wins," Shelly said.

Jack survived without any after-effects and recovered fully, but had another scare in January after a trip to Sri Lanka to celebrate his 30th birthday.

"It was looking very likely it was meningitis again so of course my world completely collapsed again," she said.

Six days later, doctors confirmed Jack had dengue fever, and not meningitis.

"That's where all this started," she added.

"From his hospital bed he said the NHS have saved me again, I'm going to do something really extraordinary."

Jack's total journey is about 932 miles (1,500km) and he reached day 24 of 30 on Sunday, running from Gloucester and through his hometown of Bristol.

He has so far raised more than £9,000 to go towards research, support and awareness of meningitis.

"I've spent a lot of time on the road on my own so, up north was a real battle," he said.

"I think going through those extreme lows up there on my own and still being able to push through has made me feel like I'm unstoppable now."

On Sunday Jack will run from Bristol to Burnham-on-Sea, in Somerset.

"I feel like what I've been through already there ain't no stopping me now.

"Ive found some purpose here in the last few weeks, I feel like the real Jack is back."

The MenACWY vaccine, which is free on the NHS, offers protection against four types of bacteria that can cause meningitis - meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y - and is offered to teenagers aged 14 years old. Anyone who missed out can get it for free until their 25th birthday.

The MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria and is recommended for babies aged eight weeks, followed by a second dose at 12 weeks and a booster at one year.

Currently, anyone aged 15 or over can only get a MenB vaccine privately.

However a one-off summer vaccination programme is taking place in the UK to help protect a million young people leaving for university against MenB.

In July, UK experts recommended all teenagers should be offered a free MenB vaccine at about the age of 15 to the government - a change in their previous advice.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.