Petra and Tamara Ecclestone deliver Meningitis Trust petition to Brit PM

London, July 8 (ANI): Petra Ecclestone and her sister Tamara, who are often criticised for their extravagant lifestyles and easy consumption of F1 father Bernie Ecclestone's money, has put their fame to good use.

The sisters showed their nobility as they delivered a Meningitis Trust petition to No.10 Downing Street.

Petra is the Ambassador for the Meningitis Trust and was joined by the trust's Chief Executive Sue Davie and young survivors of the disease to bring the document to the attention of the British Prime Minister.

Her support for the trust stems from her brush with meningitis just over six years ago, an event she describes as 'life-changing'.

"Before getting meningitis, I was such a hypochondriac, worrying about the slightest ache. Ironically, I overlooked meningitis because the symptoms seemed like flu. I guess you don't realise how healthy you are until it is taken away from you," the Daily Mail quoted Petra as saying.

Back in 2005, Petra was living with her father, her ex-model mother Slavica and her elder sister Tamara, 27, star of Channel 5 reality show 'Billion dollar dollar Girl', in Chelsea, West London.

She remembers vividly the September morning she developed the disease.

"A schoolfriend had stayed the night and the next morning I woke with a terrible headache. I kept complaining that I felt ill but, given the fact I was always moaning about my health, neither of my parents seemed concerned," she recalled.

A little later Petra walked her friend to a nearby Tube station but was forced to return home by taxi - within the space of the 15-minute walk she had deteriorated drastically.

"My legs felt like lead and my handbag felt as if it weighed a ton - I was so weak I thought I was going to collapse," she said.

"Meningitis scared the hell out of me. I realise how important it is to look after your health, especially your immune system. I still take lots of supplements and regularly have acupuncture. I do still have a tendency to Google any bizarre symptoms I might have. But I try to focus this energy into raising awareness about meningitis."

"It is essential people are diagnosed quickly, regardless of what type they have - if I'd ignored my symptoms I might not be here today," she added. (ANI)