TWO years ago, my daughter Lucy was struck down by meningitis and I was brought face-to-face with the terrifying nature of this disease.

Thankfully, after six agonising weeks, Lucy began to recover, and is now in very good health.

But we were lucky -- one in 10 people die from meningococcal disease and many others are left with a permanent disability, such as deafness or loss of limbs.

As President of the National Meningitis Trust I would like to invite your readers to help fight meningitis by contributing to the organisation through BT Friends and Family Charities.

If you are an existing customer of BT Friends and Family you can donate the discount off your next bill to help the National Meningitis Trust, Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Stroke Association. BT has pledged to match donations up to £1million.

Simply call Freefone 0800 400 450.

ANDREW HARVEY (Broadcaster), President, National Meningitis Trust.