New Mills mum to do Three Peaks Challenge for son who had meningitis

Sally Liddle and three year old son Vincent

The New Mills fitness instructor said her world “fell apart” after son Vincent contracted the infection and was admitted to Stepping Hill Hospital.

Three years on, and with Vincent since having made a remarkable recovery, Sally is preparing to take on the Three Peaks Challenge to help fundraise and raise awareness of meningitis.

The 26-year-old said: “When two doctors confirmed Vincent had bacterial meningitis, it felt like a death sentence.

three year old son Vincent who's mum Sally Liddle is raising money for research into meningitis

“I was scared and I was hysterical. My little boy was in an incubator and there was nothing I could do to help him.”

Now a happy and boisterous toddler, Sally said Vincent became poorly after he received his baby jabs.

“I knew something wasn’t right,” she said. “He wouldn’t stop crying and he went floppy, but he didn’t have the rash people associate with meningitis.”

Vincent was administered antibiotics and remained in hospital for a week.

Sally said:“I was breast-feeding at the time but he wasn’t eating at the beginning and it was a horrible time.

“He kept fighting and pulled through and luckily he hasn’t has any more health problems, which is good.”

Sally said there are so many symptoms for meningitis and believes parents need to be educated on everything they need to look out for.

“That’s why I’m doing the Three Peaks Challenge for Meningitis Now,” said Sally.

“It is a great charity which is promoting awareness, and I want to give back to them.”

Sally will be climbing Snowdonia, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in 24 hours.

Sally added: “I would love to raise £500 pounds.”

If you would like to support Sally’s fundraising challenge, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/SallyLiddle.