A Fife meningitis survivor who has beaten the illness several times in his life is taking part in a 100-mile cycle next month to help fund vital research.
Gordon Milne, from Dunfermline, first contracted meningitis as an 18-month-old baby and has been hospitalised on various occasions.
His most recent episode took place in 2007 which the dad-of-two described as his “most severe” health scare to date.
“I left my work to go go-carting with friends but I began to feel very unwell and left to go home.
“Thankfully my wife Linda knows all the signs, having witnessed me becoming ill several times before so she knew to seek medical help straight away.”
Symptoms can vary from patient to patient but for Gordon the meningitis relapse signs are severe headaches followed by violent sickness and seizures.
“Luckily the Queen Margaret Hospital is just two miles from where we live and I was admitted to high dependency straight away,” he said.
“It was a very worrying time for my family because when I eventually came round I couldn’t speak properly or hear normally and I was told I might not ever fully recover.
“My two sons were only three and five at the time and it was a really frightening experience both for me knowing I wasn’t in control and for my wife and family watching me go through it.
“A lot of people don’t know that as well as having a devastating effect on the body, meningitis can affect the mind too and can even alter your personality.
“For weeks my brain would play tricks on me, for example I would associate complete strangers with famous folk.”
Gordon’s rehabilitation journey was slow but intensive and and fortunately he made a full recovery.
In a bid to become more fit, he took up cycling which he attributes to never having needed a day off work sick since.
“I’m also on a new treatment which seems to be boosting my immune system,” the transport company director added.
Feeling “extremely lucky” to have regained his health, Gordon decided to fundraise for Meningitis Now to raise funds and awareness about the illness.
Together with his friend Paul Watson he will take part in the 100-mile Ride London Cycle on August 2, which follows the Olympic route.
He said “Meningitis Now is a fantastic charity which provides valuable support not just for patients but for their families and also carries out vital research.”
A Pampered Chef fundraiser has also been organised by Gordon’s aunt, Nancy Gibson.
It will take place this oin Thursday evening at the sports club within McKane Park in Dunfermline from 7pm and members of the public are welcome to attend.