Jolene helps raise money after illness

Jolene helps raise money after illness

29 March 2017

JOLENE Holland has come a long way since January 5. 

That day she woke up feeling ill, and after protracted doctor and hospital tests, was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis B.

Fast forward to March 12, and Jolene and members of her family walked the Jimmy’s 10K route in Downpatrick before the start of the popular race itself. Considering that Jolene is in recovery from such a debilitating, and potentially life threatening illness, this was no mean achievement. 

Although she still has to be careful, and patient with her recovery, Jolene is progressing extremely well.

Not only is Jolene already back to work in Doc’s Fish and Chips in Market Street, where she has been employed for 10 years, she has also decided to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation. 

Friends and family have rallied round, and Jolene managed to collect an impressive £450, helped in no small part by a donation from her employer. She recently presented the money to Johnny Breen, Community Fundraiser with the charity, who ran Jimmy’s 10K as part of his Belfast marathon training.

“We just could not do our work, financing pioneering research, giving support to those affected by meningitis and septicaemia, including a Freephone helpline, and promoting symptom awareness, without people like Jolene,” said Johnny.

“Virtually all funding for our charity comes from donations, and Jolene’s £450 is very gratefully received.

“We are very pleased that Jolene has made such a good recovery. 

In around 10% of cases, meningitis is fatal, in a further 30% of cases, after effects are very serious, and include limb amputations, brain damage, blindness and/or deafness,” he said.