Two young people dead and more seriously ill after a suspected meningitis super spreader event near Canterbury and suddenly everything feels raw again. I’ve only just got back from a Sahara Desert charity trek with Meningitis Now, and I’m trying to hold two truths at once: the most life-affirming adventure of my year, and the hard reality that meningitis can still steal young lives fast.

I take you with me from Gatwick to Marrakesh, over the Atlas Mountains, and out into the dunes with an unforgettable group made up of meningitis survivors, charity leaders, and families walking in memory of children and teens who should still be here. You’ll hear what trek life really looks like: constantly changing terrain, Moroccan tea at camp, sleeping under a sky packed with stars, toilet tent comedy, and the moments that stop you in your tracks, including a sunset tribute that had all of us holding our loved ones close.

Alongside the story, I share the key meningitis awareness points I want every parent, student, and young adult to know. We talk about the dangerous vaccine assumption that catches so many people out, especially around meningitis B, why symptoms can look like a cold or hangover at first, and why you should go back and push for rechecks if something feels wrong. We also cover how meningitis spreads in close-contact settings like sharing vapes, drinks, kissing, and shouting in crowded clubs, plus where to get support and answers through Meningitis Now.

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