I WAS saddened to read that Janet Hann, of Barnard Castle, lost her sight aged 13, while her husband, Paul, lost much of his sight after a car accident and meningitis aged five (Echo, Mar 25).

Everyone at Meningitis UK was touched to read that their son, Jonathan Hann, 13, helps to look after them and he was crowned a courageous citizen in the national Diana Awards in London recently.

Meningitis can strike with incredible speed and the symptoms are notoriously difficult to detect, often being confused with flu.

We believe preventative measures are the best solution.

Our sole focus is to fund the development of vaccines and other methods of preventing this devastating disease.

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

If any of your readers would like a free symptoms information pack, including wallet-sized symptoms cards, or for more information, they can call Meningitis UK on 0117- 947-6320 or visit meningitis uk.org Kate Rowland, chief executive, Meningitis UK.