SIR - I have supported the meningitis cause since my son Andrew suffered from meningitis in 1990. Thankfully, Andrew made a complete recovery, although at the time it was the most terrifying period of my life.

Last year I accepted the honour of becoming a patron of Meningitis UK.

Meningitis can strike so quickly, causing someone to become seriously ill within hours and if not treated successfully, can cause death and serious disability.

It can affect anyone of any age, however the highest incidence is in children under the age of five, and some die within a few hours of showing the first signs of the disease.

Last year there were more than 2,400 cases of meningitis provisionally reported in the UK.

There are a number of vaccines to protect against some strains of meningitis, but sadly there is still no vaccine to protect against the most common form - meningitis B.

Scientists are hopeful that a vaccine can be developed in the next seven to 10 years. This month Meningitis UK is launching its Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. The aim of the campaign is to raise £7 million over the next seven years to help fund the research needed to find a vaccine.

If any of your readers would like to support our campaign to find a vaccine by either making a donation or taking part in an event, I would be extremely grateful.

For further information on how you can help, please call Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373 or log onto www.meningitisuk.org Denis Law, Patron of Meningitis UK.