Whitnash man receives lifetime fundraising award from Rebecca Adlington

James Pratt fell ill with encephalitis - a swelling of the brain caused when a virus attacks it - in 2002.

The disease can leave people disabled and epileptic, but after a year of recuperation Mr Pratt made an almost full recovery.

And since 2004 Mr Pratt has raised £22,000 for the Encephalitis Society through fundraising activities and challenges including a trek through the Transylvanian Alps, a Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle and another in the opposite direction, a raft race, quiz nights and a family fun day.

At a masquerade ball in London to mark the society’s 21st anniversary earlier this month, Mr Pratt was presented with a Lifetime Fundraiser Award by Olympic swimming gold medallist Rebecca Adlington and the charity’s chief executive Ava Easton - who first supported him back in 2002 when he became ill and is now a good friend.

Mr Pratt said: “I wasn’t expecting the award because all I’ve done has just been to help the society.

“I continue to raise funds to support the society so they can support victims and research the illness.

“I also try and raise as much awareness of the condition as possible because many people go undiagnosed and either die or are left with life-changing disabilities.”