A TEENAGER who nearly died after contacting a form of meningitis is today organising a fund-raising event to say thank you.

David Green

A TEENAGER who nearly died after contacting a form of meningitis is today organising a fund-raising event to say thank you.

Kate Thompson's life was saved by early diagnosis and top rate hospital care after she contracted the infection.

Ten years later, she and her family are organising a fund-raising event to say thank you for the help they received.

Kate, 13, from Wingfield, near Eye, was just three years old when she was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia.

Her mother, Julie Thompson, said: “I noticed one Sunday morning she had developed a rash and I put it down to chicken pox as there was a local outbreak at the time. However, later in the day she had developed a temperature and I called the duty GP at Diss Health Centre.”

Action followed quickly. The GP immediately recognised the symptoms and Kate was rushed by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital where, soon after, a team from the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital arrived to take her back to London, to the intensive care unit.

After two weeks in Great Ormond Street and four weeks back in Ipswich Hospital she recovered to lead a perfectly normal life and is now a pupil at Hartismere High School, Eye.

Kate and her family, together with a group of school friends, are now organising a murder mystery day to raise funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Meningitis Trust.

Local amateur actors have volunteered to participate in two performances of a mystery story set in a school and entitled Taught a Lesson.

Kate and her friends will also be involved in the drama - a far cry from the real dramatic events of a decade ago.

The performances will take place in Wingfield and Syleham Village Hall on May 3, at 12.30 pm and 7 pm.

Members of the audience will be encouraged to turn up in school uniform or dressed as teachers and a “school dinner” will be served half an hour before each performance.

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £6 for children with a family ticket for two adults and two children costing £25. They are available through Kate and her family on 01379 668169.