Chatterbox 0812 - Rotary Club of Belper

Meeting – 20th August
A Challenge for Meningitis Research
by Michael Needham
It was a good week for visitors. As well as our speaker, the Club welcomed Nils from
Germany and three Rotarians from Heanor on a scatter week. Hilary presided and David
Harris brought greetings from two Rotary clubs (Church Wilne and Wirksworth) at which he
had been guest speaker.
Our speaker was Michael Needham, Ron Giffin’s grandson and he was introduced by his
proud Granddad. Michael had had meningitis when 18 months old; it had only been diagnosed
through the persistence of his mother after several doctors had told her that the
symptoms were of ‘flu’. The disease had left Michael totally deaf in one ear with only partial
hearing in the other. His friend had died of the disease in his late teens.
Vaccines have been developed for the Hib and C strains of meningitis and are under
development for the B strain. However, much work remains to be done to bring this killer
disease (mainly of children) under control, particularly in the developing world. Michael had
set himself the challenge of raising £30,000 in 2012 to help this vital research. He was doing
this by setting himself monthly physical tasks, well illustrated with mind and body numbing
pictures.
January – Tough Guy, an assault course of great difficulty through mud and water in
freezing conditions with electric shocks administered just for good measure.
February – Hill Runner, on one of the coldest days of the year with several inches of ice
March – Ultimate Marathon, says it all really!
April – Adventure Race, orienteering in Dovedale on bike and foot.
May – Edinburgh Marathon, a mean Scottish race!
June - UK Ironman 70.3, on Exmoor, swimming 2 miles, cycling 56 miles and running a
half marathon.
July – Trentham Triathlon, more swimming, cycling and running.
August - the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Sca Fell, Ben Nevis and Yr Wyddfa in under
24 hours, achieved with a smile or three (according to the photographs).
And to come:
September – Iron Man Wales, swimming 2.5 miles, cycling 112 miles and running a full
marathon.
October – swimming in a pool (is he going soft or something?!!) the full width of the
English Channel (21miles).
November – Endurance rowing, attempting to break the world record for the longest
continuous row on an indoor rowing machine.
December – More endurance rowing, attempting to break the world record for the
fastest 1 million metres on an indoor rowing machine.
John Norreys duly expressed the Club’s admiration for the Herculean feats that
Michael has performed and faces over the next few months and our thanks for a
fascinating and inspiring talk. Michael has raised £10,000 towards his target and gave
details of ways in which his challenge could be supported, including on web site
www, one-big-year.org
Martin Drake
Photograph on page 19.
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