Latest news
England
Wheelchair pensioner climbs mountain
Keith Matthews successfully completed his Mourne Mountain Wheelchair Challenge on Monday August 9, 2010. Keith was set off by Eamonn O’Neill, Chairman of Council at Down District Council, from Windsor Caravan Park, Newcastle. The superb support team, headed by Niall O’Kane of the Portside Inn, Belfast, had come from across Northern Ireland following Keith’s BBC Radio Ulster appeal.
Keith wanted to raise funds for the Meningitis Trust after his granddaughter contracted the disease. Keith made a pact with God. Keith says; “I said to him that if she pulled through I would do everything I could to help support anyone who has experienced meningitis. That’s why I chose the Meningitis Trust, as it provides a lifeline to people whose lives have been turned upside down by the disease. People just like me and my family.”
Fortunately Tanya, now 20, survived, although she has been left deaf in one ear as a result. Tanya also recently contracted meningitis for the second time, but this time it was viral and she has made a good recovery.
Almost £1700 has been raised by Keith and The Portside Inn. If you would like to support Keith on his inspiring challenge please visit www.justgiving.com/keith-matthews1.
A big thank you to everyone involved in making Keith’s challenge a success.
Picture, courtesy of Chris Halpin, Mourne Observer.
Sisters take on Great London Swim
Congratulations to Donna and Carmen Galea who took on the Great London Swim and raised a whopping £533 for the Trust in the process. The sisters completed the mile long swim in the Thames on the 3rd of July. Carmen was chuffed to bits with her time of 50 mins, Donna was chaffed to bits with her time of 1hr 20mins! Well done girls!
John and Molly ‘Walked the Way’
– all 95 miles!
A big congratulations to John MacEwan and his beloved blind dog Molly who walked the West Highland Way at the beginning of June. They completed the 95 mile walk from Glasgow to Fort William in just 6 days and although some sections were very challenging, the fantastic scenery and weather made it well worth the effort!
John’s granddaughter Anna Johnson contracted meningitis at just a few weeks old. Thankfully she made a full recovery so for her second birthday; John decided to say a big thank you to everyone who helped her by better by setting a target of raising £2000 for the Meningitis Trust.
So far John has raised over £2000 with funds still coming in and would particularly like to thank his support team – his family who both helped him with his fundraising and took turns in joining him throughout the walk, as John says ’when they get behind you anything is possible and success is guaranteed’.
Wedding Celebrations! 
A big congratulations from everyone at the Trust to Hazel Madden and Marc Cram from Leicestershire who were married in Corrie on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.
Hazel Madden and Marc Cram choose to support the work of the Trust after Hazel suffered almost fatal bacterial meningitis and septicaemia when she was 16. Thankfully Hazel made a good recovery and she and Marc decided that instead of receiving wedding gifts, they would ask their guests to donate to the Trust and raised a fantastic £1,250.00!
Hazel and Marc would like to thank all their guests for helping to make their day so special and for all their kind donations to the meningitis trust.
Best wishes for the future to Hazel and Marc from everyone at the Meningitis Trust.
Adam’s Concerted Effort
Congratulations to Adam Tuffrey from Bournemouth who’s fantastic “Music 4 Life” has raised over £4,500 for the Trust! Over 450 people including the Mayor of Bournemouth and our very own Sue Davie watched Adam and a raft of other local talents perform music, dance and comedy in a variety spectacular on Thursday the 3rd of June. 15 year old Adam, who has made a full recovery from meningitis aged at the age of 6, organised the concert which culminated in a brilliant medley of Take That songs which Adam performed on piano with a full backing band. This is the third of Adam’s concerts he has put on to raise money and awareness for the Trust and could be the last for a while as he takes time to concentrate on his GCSE exams next year. Well done Adam – you are a true star!
Viva Las Vegas!
Congratulations to Ian and Claire Scott who fulfilled the dream of a lifetime last month when they wed in Las Vegas. Friends and family of the happy couple donated £262 to the Meningitis Trust as Ian’s daughter Hayley suffered from the disease last year. The family from Croydon in Surrey completed their Elvis-themed nuptials by honeymooning in Memphis and Nashville. Congratulations from all at the Trust!
Virgin Money Giving
There have been recent changes in the online fundraising world. JustGiving is now facing competition from Virgin Money Giving.
We have reviewed the propositions of both online fundraising websites and believe that Virgin Money Giving is the best option for both fundraisers and the Trust. This decision is based on Virgin Money Giving providing lower costs and great support.
The Meningitis Trust will continue to be able to receive money from both online giving websites, but to make your money go further we recommend you use Virgin Money Giving to promote your fundraising.
