Hello,

I'm Matt and I'm one of the Meningitis Trust's Young Ambassadors.

My baby sister, Hannah, died of pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia ten years ago. Since then I have worked to raise awareness of the disease and funds for the Trust. I feel honoured to have been chosen as one of their first Young Ambassadors. One of the best things about the Trust though is that it brought me into contact with Alex. 

I'd like to tell you a bit about Alex and ask for your help to support his work by donating £20 today.

Alex was just seven when he had meningitis, which left him in a wheelchair. He said he thought using the wheelchair would be the hardest part of meningitis, but he was wrong. He had other difficulties too – with his short-term memory and his speech. He was also bullied and struggled at school.

But Alex fought back, volunteering for the Meningitis Trust and becoming its founding Young Ambassador. He instantly made a big impression on me, and on everyone he met.

Believe and Achieve

Alex always said that meningitis marked the start of a new and different life for him. He had this saying – "Believe and Achieve”. Despite everything he considered himself to be lucky. He used to say to me: “There is no way I am going to let anyone go through what I did and feel it's the end; it’s only the beginning, believe me.” 

True to his word he spent hours handing out signs and symptoms cards and delivering awareness talks in his own inimitable style. Alex was caring, funny, cheeky, determined, inspirational and a great friend.

He was always smiling and would greet you with his trademark two thumbs up – he was always really positive about his life and future.

Alex died suddenly, aged just 18, last August.

Alex was, and always will be, the greatest Young Ambassador the Trust will ever see. I believe his work saved hundreds of lives. 

So now it’s up to us, me and Alex's fellow Young Ambassadors, to take up the torch where he left off (yes, that’s something else he did, carrying the Olympic torch last year) and make sure his legacy lives on. I know we can prevent, provide and care for many more people suffering with this disease. We will fight twice as strong for you, my friend. 

Alex was a figurehead of the Trust's Vision 2016, which has the main aims of reaching and improving the lives of everyone affected by meningitis and minimising the impact of the disease. The Trust is seeing a significant increase in the number of people using its services and I know Alex would be thrilled at this. None of us wants to see anyone suffer in silence. 

£1million by 2016 

That's why we've launched the Alex Williams "Believe and Achieve" Appeal in his memory, to raise £1million by 2016, to help everyone fighting back after meningitis live life to their full potential. 

So, I'm writing to you today on behalf of all the Trust’s Young Ambassadors, to ask you to join us in reaching our goal of £1million by 2016 to ensure children, young people and adults facing the devastating aftermath of meningitis get the support and encouragement they need to 'believe and achieve'.

£20 – Can pay for 668 signs and symptoms cards (like the ones Alex handed out) to help people recognise the signs of meningitis. 

£200 – Can pay for four hours of Speech and Language Therapy for an adult left with verbal difficulties resulting from meningitis. 

£2,000 – Can pay for a family to adapt their garden, making it safe for their child to play outdoors after being left with severe physical disabilities. 

It doesn't take much to help start turning these lives around. Please will you give what you can today to help us deliver Alex’s legacy? Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for your generosity.

It's you and your support that really makes all the difference. 

Yours sincerely 

Matt Walker Meningitis Trust Young Ambassador