A grateful young Fife woman went to new heights to say thank you to those who helped her recover from meningitis.
Midwifery student Michaela Harmes, from Lundin Links, jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet as she undertook a fundraising skydive in aid of research into the potentially deadly disease.
The 21-year-old and friends Kerin Marshall and Nicolle Peat raised £2,111 for Meningitis Now through their weekend endeavour, while pal third pal Lana Owen joined them in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity.
Michaela’s “amazing” experience came less than two years after her summer of a lifetime turned to near-disaster as she battled meningitis in a Greek hospital.
After a night working and clubbing in a resort in Zante, she got to bed at around 6.30am before waking up in severe pain almost nine hours later.
“My whole body was in agony from head to toe – the pain was even in my fingers and toes,” she said.
“I had an awful headache and I couldn’t even more. I knew this could not be a hangover.”
When five hours passed without her feeling any better, Michaela phoned a medical centre and she was visited by two members of staff that night.
Her blood pressure was high and she had to be carried downstairs.
After being sent home with paracetamol, her symptoms worsened and she was eventually transferred to mainland Greece for treatment with her parents by her side.
“At the time I didn’t realise how ill I was,” she said. “It was such a traumatising experience but I am an extremely lucky girl to be here to tell my story.
“I am ever so thankful for all the staff that helped me and of course my family who are amazing for putting up with me and being with me every step of the way.”
Amanda Harris, Scotland community fundraiser at Meningitis Now, said: “Thank you so much to Michaela and her friends for taking on this challenge.
“As a charity that receives no Government funding we rely entirely on the generosity, energy and initiative of our supporters to raise the vital funds we need to carry out our lifesaving and life-changing work.”
