AN actor who learned her trade in the district is preparing to run a half marathon in aid of research into a potentially fatal disease that she and her daughter have survived.
Holly Matthews, 26, who trained at the East 15 Acting School in Rectory Lane, Loughton, played school bully Leigh-Ann Galloway in the BBC drama Waterloo Road and has appeared on Casualty this year.
Her six-month-old daughter Brooke suffered from meningitis when she was 12 weeks old and the actress also had the disease when she was seven.
“She was born prematurely and was only about 6lbs or 7lbs when she had meningitis, so it was dangerous with her being so tiny,” she said. “She’ll probably be an outpatient for about a year, but she’s been checked for her hearing and she’s fine, so we’ve been ridiculously lucky.
“Meningitis UK’s main focus is to find a vaccine suitable for all types of meningitis and to raise awareness.”
The actress now lives in Coventry, but still has friends in Loughton and Epping who she visits regularly and has done some of her training in Epping Forest, often taking baby Brooke out in her buggy at the same time.
The half-marathon, the Great North Run, will take place in Newcastle on September 18.
To sponsor Ms Matthews, visit the website www.justgiving.com/Holly-matthews1.
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