OLYMPIC gold medallist Sarah Dempsey has told how a battle with meningitis almost shattered her dreams of becoming a sporting star.

Sarah, of Wyke Regis, has reissued her warning of the dangers of the disease, following a rise in cases this winter in Dorset.

She spoke out after mum Emma Gale, whose son Oscar died of meningitis, urged people to be aware of the symptoms as cases increase.

The 28-year-old, who sailed to fame at the Athens and Beijing Games, was in a coma for three days after being struck down by the devastating bug when she was 15.

Doctors warned she was close to death when the deadly meningococcal septicaemia strain of the disease took hold in 1995.

Sarah - one of the celebrated ‘three blondes in a boat’ - is now a patron for Meningitis UK.

She said: “The biggest message is that if ever there’s a problem seek help straight away.

“You can’t really be too cautious.

“As far as I’m aware you can’t really prevent getting it apart from not sharing drinks and being really hygienic with antiseptic wipes for your hands.

“If ever anyone has any symptoms such as headaches, funny spots, sensitivity to light, nausea or tiredness, it’s now worth hanging around when it comes to meningitis, that’s my biggest advice.”

Sarah recently donated her designer wedding dress, from her marriage to Olympic windsurfer Nick Dempsey, to the charity and raised £300 for its Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.

She said she hoped her support would raise awareness of the disease’s symptoms and the need to find a vaccine to eradicate it.

The Yngling champion said her family were told to prepare for the worst while she lay in a coma for three days. Around 20 per cent of meningococcal septicaemia cases result in death and hundreds of people are left disabled by the disease each year.

But Sarah pulled through and was back sailing just two weeks later.

She added: “I was very lucky because the meningitis was caught in time. I’ve suffered no after-effects and have been able to go on to achieve my dreams.

“It was a very scary experience, which is why I am supporting Meningitis UK and its Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.

“It’s so important to find a vaccine to protect people from this devastating disease and to stop future heartache.”

To obtain a free information pack on the disease call Meningitis UK on 0117 3737373 or go online at www.meningitisuk.org