As a baby, Darren Brown almost lost his life to a combination of meningococcal meningitis and pnuemonia . Now he is raising cash – in the best way he knows – with a family wrestling event. He spoke to EMMA DUNN

AT ONLY five months old, Darren Brown was just minutes from death.

His whole body was grey and lifeless, and after arriving at Princess Margaret Hospital, he was diagnosed with meningitis.

The disease, which involves inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord, meant Darren spent weeks fighting the disease. He also contracted pneumonia while he was there.

Darren was suffering from a form of bacterial meningitis known as meningococcal disease. Following bacterial meningitis or septicaemia, one in 10 people will die and at least a third of survivors will be left with lifelong after-effects such as hearing loss, epilepsy, limb loss or learning difficulties.

Fortunately though, Darren went on to make a full recovery.

And now the 35-year-old, of Swindon, is hoping to help more people fight the disease by raising hundreds of pounds for Meningitis Now with a wrestling fest in Cirencester.

“I feel lucky to survive meningitis because it was touch and go. I am so thankful that I didn’t lose any limbs or, even worse, die,” he said.

“Doctors said I was minutes from death. My whole body went grey and my mum has told me I was completely lifeless. She could tell I was alive but I was all floppy,” he said.

“I didn’t have a rash, which I know people normally associate with meningitis. I was lucky to survive.”

There are an estimated 3,400 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia each year in the UK.

Although Darren was physically unaffected after recovering from the disease, as a child his learning was slightly slower than others due to the effect meningitis had on his brain.

He still has difficulty with maths due to the meningitis.

Darren is grateful though that this was the only effect the disease had on his life.

And he is now on a mission to help fund research and raise awareness.

As part of this, he has launched Cirencester Wrestling Federation (CWF) and hosts his first family-friendly charity event, for Stroud-based Meningitis Now, on Saturday.

The seven-match afternoon stars Darren and around 12 wrestlers vying for trophy shields, and will be held at Cirencester Deer Park School from 12.30pm.

Bouts include a ‘divas’ female fight and a tag team ‘pin anywhere’, and there is a fundraising raffle, which Darren hopes local businesses will donate towards, during the interval.

The final event, dubbed the Royal Battle, is a rumble starring most of the grapplers, with the winner being the only one not to be hurled over the top rope.

Darren, whose ring name is The Thundercat, first found his love of watching wrestling at the age of five but only started taking part in the sport for a charity event called Wrestling for Cancer at the same venue last year.

“I have always wanted to do something for Meningitis Now and I have been a fan of wrestling since I was young. Taking part in the event last year really inspired me,” he said.

“The event on Saturday will be my one-on-one debut. Last year I was a special guest referee and was in the rumble match.

“Taking part in a wrestling match is nerve-wracking but it’s also quite exciting because you know people have paid good money to come along. You want to give them the best show you can give them,” he said.

Darren hopes the Cirencester Wrestling Federation will take place for different charities every year in future.

All the wrestlers taking part are donating their time for free.

Darren said he is looking forward to the event this weekend, and hopes the fundraiser will make a difference.

“Meningitis Now is a cause that I really believe in because I know how important the work they do is. They help to save lives by funding research and they also help to raise awareness,” said Darren, who works as a delivery driver.

“My parents, Jackie and Alan, and my wife, Sue, have told me they are really proud of what I am doing.”

Meningitis Now founder Steve Dayman MBE, of Alveston, launched the UK’s meningitis movement after losing his baby Spencer to the disease in 1982.

He added: “We thank Darren for helping us tackle the disease – it will be an energetic, action-packed event.

“Every penny raised will help us continue to fight the disease on all fronts – fund preventative research, raise awareness and support survivors and their families.”

Tickets cost £5 but under fives get in free, and are available from the Wheatsheaf Inn, Cirencester, or on the door.

Follow @Cirenwrestling on Twitter or search for Cirencester Wrestling Federation on Facebook.

For more information on the disease, call 01453 768000 or visit www.Meningitis-Now.org.

  • Meningitis Now, the UK’s largest charity fighting the disease, formed after Meningitis UK and Meningitis Trust merged in 2013. The united charity, with around 30 years’ experience, exists to save lives and rebuild futures through research, awareness and support.

     

  • Meningitis Now fights the disease on all fronts by providing a powerful, united voice for people fighting meningitis, saving lives by funding vaccine and preventative research, reducing the disease’s impact through awareness, rebuilding futures with dedicated support and fundraising to deliver their plans.