Warwick survivor is ready for his Mission: Possible
MHLC-27-02-13 runner feb99 Dave Hancock was at death's door with meningitis last February. Now he's in training to do the London Marathon. Pictured, with his family,wife Pamela, with six weeks old poppy and Evie Two years old .
This time last year Dave Hancock was struck down with meningitis and couldn’t get out of bed - now he’s about to run the London Marathon.
The 47-year-old father of four still can’t quite believe how lucky he is is to be alive.
He said: “I woke up one morning last February with a terrible headache.
“But like most blokes I thought I would get over it. It was literally only the fact that my partner Pamela was taking our two-year-old daughter to the doctors that day that she happened to also mention that I could also hardly open my eyes and felt sick.
“The doctor was round at our house within 15 minutes and I was admitted straight into Warwick Hospital.
“It seemed I’d contracted viral meningitis which has left me with some fatigue and short -term memory loss.
“This may well go in time but the tiredness has certainly been helped by my going out five or six days a week to train for the marathon.
“People think I’m mad but my four daughters say they’re proud of me which is good enough for me.
“I don’t care how long it takes me to complete the race, I’ll finish it on my hands and knees if necessary. But I do want to raise as much money as I can for the Meningitis Trust whose staff and volunteers helped me to focus on something positive and totally changed my outlook on life.
Sadly Dave, who lives in Tanners Courtyard, Warwick, had to give up his high-pressured job as a salesman for a telecommunications company, but he has endeavoured to keep busy by volunteering as a team leader for the Warwickshire Meningitis Trust.
He said: “Last year was horrendous for my family and me. But with the support of the trust along with the generosity of our friends and fellow customers at our local pub, The Vine, I’ve drawn so many positives.
“Thanks to them we’ve already raised £1,923 towards the run and a grand total of £2,800 from quiz nights and other events.
“Running the London Marathon seemed light years away last year, but now I’ll be there on April 21, wearing my yellow shirt with pride.”
Becky Jones from the trust said: “Dave is such an inspirational individual.”
Anyone wanting to support Dave’s fundraising effort can visit http//uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DaveHancock1
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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