A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl, who fought back from meningitis, is helping a Stroud-based charity to beat the devastating disease with its latest fundraising campaign.

Elise Robinson from Charlton Kings is one of five youngsters from across the UK launching this year’s Meningitis Now Toddle Waddle and encouraging other families, nurseries and toddler groups to sign up and hold their own event.

Elise was just 13-months-old when she contracted pneumococcal meningitis.

Her mum Helen was shocked at how quickly it was confirmed.

“The speed at which the diagnosis went from dehydration to confirmed meningitis still terrifies me now,” said Helen.

“How could this possibly be happening when just a few weeks earlier she was running around at her big birthday party with all her little friends, full of laughter?

“She was hooked up to steroids, antibiotics and fluids. It was just devastating to see our baby so vulnerable and at the mercy of these horrifically strong drugs.

“All the doctors would say is there was no way of telling what the long-term effects could be.”

Thankfully Elise responded well to treatment and after a week in hospital was allowed home to continue to make a good recovery.

“We are thankful every single day for her recovery and know just how fortunate we are,” said Helen.

Since then Meningitis Now has supported the family through its support services. In return they have organised a range of fundraising and awareness-raising activities.

Now Elise features in the charity’s Toddle Waddle pack, where her likeness has been captured by top illustrator Rebecca Canavan.

Carrie Bater, Community Fundraiser at Meningitis Now, said: “Toddle Waddle is one of our favourite fundraisers which over the last three years has raised nearly £100,000 towards our lifesaving and life-changing work.

“We’re especially pleased this year to have the support of the children and their families and grateful to them for sharing their stories.

“They really show why it’s so important to do everything we can to tackle this brutal disease.”

The children’s stories cover a range of outcomes from the disease, from bereavement to life-limiting after-effects, amputations and recovery.

Toddle Waddle is a fun, short, sponsored walk for little feet, although everyone is welcome to join in.

It aims to raise awareness and funds and all the money raised helps Meningitis Now to save lives and rebuild futures through its research, awareness and support work.

They can be held wherever and whenever organisers want although the charity is hoping as many people as possible will stage theirs between 4 and 10 June – National Waddle Week.

Meningitis Now is working towards a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need.

It does this by funding research into vaccines and prevention, raising awareness so people know what to look for and what action to take if they suspect meningitis and rebuilding futures by providing dedicated support to people living with the impact of the disease.

For more information on meningitis and the work of Meningitis Now or to donate visit www.meningitisnow.org