When 21-year-old Lucas Martin came home complaining of a severe headache and overwhelming fatigue, his family assumed it was simply “freshers’ flu”—a common illness among students just starting university. Having recently graduated from University of Liverpool, he was excited about the future and seemed healthy. No one suspected a life-threatening condition was unfolding silently.

Lucas’s symptoms initially appeared mild: tiredness, fever, and occasional confusion. His brother, Connor, later recalled that everything seemed like “a really bad virus.”  Since Lucas didn’t show typical signs of Meningitis—no rash, no light sensitivity—the family believed it was nothing serious. But as the days passed, Lucas’s condition worsened drastically. On September 10, he was struggling to speak clearly; by September 12, doctors confirmed his condition was irreversible.

The loss devastated his family. Connor described Lucas as “a force of nature” — full of ambition and quick to support others. In the wake of this tragedy, the family recognized how crucial awareness and early response are when it comes to meningitis, especially when early symptoms mimic a common flu. “If you’re worried,” Connor urges now, “take action. Don’t assume it’s just the flu.”

To honour Lucas’s memory, his loved ones established Looky’s Aid — a charity dedicated to raising awareness about meningitis and supporting young people facing adversity.  Through education, outreach, and scholarships, they hope no family has to experience the same heartbreak. Lucas’s story remains a powerful reminder that illnesses we may dismiss as “just the flu” can, in fact, be far more serious.