DOUBLE gold Olympic medallist Sarah Dempsey is challenging Dorset Echo readers to ‘do something incredible’ to help save lives from a killer disease.

The sailing star, who was struck down with meningitis and meningococcal which left her in a coma for three days at the age of 15, is a patron of Meningitis UK.

Sarah, of Wyke Regis, Weymouth hopes to inspire her local community to take part in two challenging events that the charity is organising, involving the highest mountains in both Africa and Great Britain.

She said: “As an Olympian and patron of Meningitis UK, I would like to challenge your readers to do something incredible to help save lives from this killer disease.

“The charity has two exciting events coming up and both seasoned walkers and brave novices can sign up for either the Three Peaks Challenge in August or for a slightly more awe-inspiring climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in January 2012.”

The Three Peaks Challenge, between August 5 and 7, involves conquering the three highest peaks in the home nations – Ben Nevis in Scotland and Scarfell Pike in England before finishing triumphantly at the top of Mount Snowdon in Wales, all within 24 gruelling hours.

The trip of a lifetime to Mount Kilimanjaro takes place from January 12 to 22 and covers a variety of diverse terrains, from jungle to volcanic craters, en route to the picturesque snow-capped Uhuru peak – which, at 5,895m, is the highest point in Africa.

The challenges, called The Big Climb and The Big Trek, promise to push participants to the limit while helping to raise funds towards eradicating meningitis.

Thousands of people die from the disease each year and taking part in a charity challenge is one of the ways in which people can help raise money towards finding a vaccine.

Sarah added: “I fell ill with meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia when I was 15, which left me in a coma for three days. Thankfully, I was lucky to pull through and be able to go on to achieve my sailing dreams.

“With your help, Meningitis UK will be able to beat this disease and spare thousands of families the heartache of losing a loved one in the future.”

Sarah’s mum Coleen Ayton is among the challengers who will be taking part.

She said: “Sarah is patron of Meningitis UK and she is promoting the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.

“Sarah is not available to take part but I will be attempting The Big Climb in January so training has started.”

To find out more about these exciting challenges, visit meningitisuk.org, email toya.champ@meningitisuk.org or call Toya on 0117 302 6191.