RE: The story of blind Elvis fan Andrew Stewart, from Alexander Street, Chesham. He raised money for charities supporting disabled people by doing squat thrusts, bench presses and three laps of a circuit in a gruelling gym challenge. Mr Stewart, whose story was featured in our Amersham & Chesham edition is also well known in the area for singing Elvis hits at karaoke events in Chesham.

I WAS heartened to read your story on November 21 about 23-year-old Andrew Stewart who recently completed an impressive gym challenge for charity. His efforts are all the more amazing given how he lost his sight as a three-year-old to meningitis.

Here at Meningitis UK we sadly know only too well how devastating the disease can be and how quickly it can take hold.

Knowing the symptoms and seeking prompt treatment can make a vital difference to the outcome.

However sadly, sometimes even if the symptoms are recognised, prompt treatment sought and the best medical care is given, it is still not enough to save a life.

Meningitis is also often incredibly difficult to detect as the symptoms are hard to distinguish from the common cold and flu, plus there are occasions when people show no or very few symptoms.

For all these reasons, we believe prevention is the only way to truly eradicate the disease and developing a preventative vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis and its associated diseases is our sole focus at Meningitis UK.

Last year we launched our Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which aims to raise £7million to fund lifesaving research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B – the most common form of meningitis in the UK for which there is currently no vaccine. The number 4 signifies the devastating fact that meningitis can kill in under four hours.

In the absence of a vaccine, we also distribute a wide range of material to raise awareness of the common symptoms and the need to act quickly, which can mean the difference between life and death.

If any of your readers would like a symptoms information pack, including wallet-sized symptoms cards, or to find out more about supporting our Search for a Vaccine Campaign, they can call Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org

Philippa Walker, Meningitis UK, Cleeve Wood Road, Bristol.