1985

Parents in Stroud form a support group following an outbreak of meningitis in Stroud and Stonehouse.

1986

The Trust becomes a registered charity in the UK and awards its first research grant to the University of Edinburgh.

1988

The Trust funds its first major research project. This research plays a major part in the development and introduction of the Hib vaccine in 1992.

1990

Launch of 24-hour helpline which has now taken over 1million calls since its introduction

1990

Financial Grants Service was launched. The only service of its kind in the UK today, over £1.5million has been spent helping people to rebuild their lives

1992

Hib vaccine is introduced, supported by the Trust; resulting in significant reduction in the incidence of the Hib strain of bacterial meningitis.

1993

First symptoms cards introduced – over 20 million issued since then

1998

Nurses recruited to man helpline 24 hours.

1999

Meningococcal C vaccine introduced

1999

Launch of professional counselling service across the UK – this remains the only counselling service specifically for people affected by meningitis and over 5,000 counselling sessions have been held

2001

Sister charity in Ireland launched.

2002

Launch of home visiting service across the UK

2003

HRH Countess of Wessex and the Archbishop of Canterbury become Patrons.

2006

7-valent Pneumococcal vaccine introduced

2007

Memorial Rose Garden opens in Stroud Park to commemorate 21^st anniversary.

2007

Family Day service launched. Over 1,000 children and adults have benefited since it started

2008

Research commissioned into impact of meningococcal B strain of the disease (due for completion end 2010)

2009

Tribute Garden opened at Fern House, Stroud

2009

Art Therapy launched across the UK following a year’s pilot in Northern Ireland – the only service of its kind in the UK specifically for children and young adults who have experienced meningitis

2009

Trust holds its first After-Effects conference – now an ongoing programme across the UK

2010

13-valent pneumococcal vaccine introduced giving greater protection

2010

World’s first meningitis app for the iPhone free to download for the 4million plus iPhone users

2010

Partnership with UCAS to reach all new students going to college and university with life-saving awareness information

2011

Start of the Trust’s 25th anniversary year

2011

Nearly £2m now spent on Financial Support Grants, with the highest ever level of grants awarded in the last 12 months at over £200k

2011

e-News now reaching 20,000 people a month (click here to sign up for e-News)

2011

Partnerships programme launched with WellChild, Child Brain Injury Trust, National Deaf Children’s Society, Auditory Verbal UK and St John Ambulance being amongst the first national partners – enabling more people to obtain the support they need following meningitis and increasing awareness of this dreadful disease