Twin sisters from Wimbledon who both survived life-threatening meningitis as babies have just completed the London Marathon together, raising awareness and over £5,000 for Meningitis Research Foundation.
Polly and Felicity March ran Sunday’s race in 5:26:18 and 5:13:23 respectively.
At just a few months old, the twins were both hospitalised with meningococcal meningitis B (MenB) within days of each other, with one in intensive care while the other began to show the same symptoms. Their parents have since shared the fear of those weeks, recalling the moment they were told their daughter was “very, very ill”.
Reflecting on their experience, Polly and Felicity said: “We’re incredibly grateful that we have no real memories of that time, because we can only imagine the fear and anxiety such a diagnosis must have brought.”
They added: “Our story isn’t a typical survivor’s story about overcoming illness. Instead, it’s a story of a mother’s intuition, a family doctor’s swift diagnosis, hospital staff working tirelessly around the clock, and a group of neighbours who became our village.”
Now aged 33, the sisters say they felt “very humbled” to take on the marathon for such an important cause, turning their survival into action by raising more than £5,000 collectively for Meningitis Research Foundation.
As part of their involvement with the charity, they have also shared their story through Meningitis in your words, helping to build the world’s largest digital collection of meningitis experiences.
Their parents have also shared their full account of those two weeks in hospital, describing the shock of caring for both daughters in intensive care and the vital support of neighbours who became their “village” during that time.
Read Polly and Felicity’s story here: www.meningitis.org/meningitis-in-your-words/polly-and-felicity-march/
