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Local Events
Central England
Community Development Officer - Jo Kennedy
Hello, my name is Jo Kennedy and I am your local Community Development Officer for the Meningitis Trust.
I work across the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and North-West London; offering support to those whose lives have been touched by meningitis and raising awareness of the disease and the work of the Trust.
I also work with the Trust’s many dedicated supporters in my region who raise much-needed funds and awareness, which enable the charity to continue with its vital work.
If I can help out with anything you are planning or you would like more information about the work of the Trust in your region, please do not hesitate to give me a call on 0845 120 4886 or email me at: joannek@meningitis-trust.org.
Virgin London Marathon
25 April 2010
If you were one of the lucky ones to get your own place through the official Virgin London Marathon ballot, we would love you to join our running team; we promise to make your Virgin London Marathon experience the best ever!
We're pleased to let you know that Tana Ramsay has joined our London Marathon running team! Tana contracted bacterial meningitis when she was 18 and despite making a full recovery, the experience changed her life. She's fighting back against the disease by taking on the London marathon for us in 2010.
Tana says; “I am delighted to be running the 2010 Virgin London marathon for the Meningitis Trust. I hope that together we can raise life-saving awareness of the disease and its symptoms and highlight the charity’s important work". Read her training diary by clicking here.
Join our team along with Tana, and in return we’ll make sure you get all the support you need before, during, and after, the Virgin London Marathon, including:
• FREE personalised running vest or T-shirt
• Race pack, including training and dietary advice
• Fundraising support and encouragement from our dedicated team
• Regular marathon information updates
• Motivation from our supporters at our own cheering point on the route.
• Transport to our post-race celebration for a well deserved massage, shower and buffet, where you can meet up with friends and family.
Cards for special occasions 
Looking for a different kind of card for a special occasion? Trust supporter Suzie Ostrove, from London, creates artwork from scratch and by hand using fabric, twine, ribbon, beads and embroidery for original and individual designs which are then scanned and printed for beautiful greetings cards for any occasion.
Suzie is donating all the proceeds from her themed ‘son’ card (pictured) to the Meningitis Trust in memory of her beloved son Ilan. Suzie said "The Trust was a tremendous support to me and my family when my wonderful son Ilan died so suddenly from meningitis in August 1997. They give invaluable help to survivors and their families who each day face the terrible consequences of having contracted the disease.
"I started to design different themed card templates but couldn’t bring myself to create a ‘son’ card until I had the idea to donate all the profits of that card to Ilan’s Tribute Fund. I support the Trust so that other people who face the tragedy of losing someone dear to meningitis can be helped as I was".
For more details or to view Suzie’s cards, log on to www.suziecraft.co.uk or email suzie@suziecraft.co.uk.
Thinking about a challenge?
Why not set yourself a challenge whilst at the same time raising vital funds for the Meningitis Trust?
Running – there are lots of running events throughout the region from fun runs right up to full marathons. Dates for the diary include the ASICS British 10k London Run on Sunday July 11 – it’s the 10th anniversary of this incredibly popular 10km, so why not get a team of 10 friends or family to run with you through the heart of historic central London? Click here for more details about our charity places. For an event that the whole family can enjoy, take part in one of the many Big Fun Runs across the region – more details below. To search for other races near to you, visit the Runners World website which has a full list.
Cycling – organise a sponsored bike ride; no matter what your ability, there will be a cycle route close to you. The Sustrans website has a searchable map where you can find out about routes in your local area. Just click here to see what’s near you.
Triathlon – take part in this multi-sport endurance event consisting of swimming, cycling and running in immediate succession over various distances. There are lots of events taking place across the country which are suitable for beginners and people of all abilities. So why not enter a race and get sponsored to take part? To search for an event near you, then check out the British Triathlon webpage.
Slimathon – set your own target and get sponsored for every pound you lose. Be sure to do it healthily though - it's best to aim to lose no more than 1-2 lbs a week. For more advice, click here.
Banish that nasty habit – it’s not always giving up that one habit that we would ideally like to stop. Telling your family and friends that you are going to ‘give it up’ and raise money at the same time helps motivate you to resist the urge of falling back into the trap.
Feeling brave and want a bigger challenge – why not try a 10,000ft freefall parachute jump? You can jump for free if you raise a minimum amount of sponsorship. There are a variety of venues across the country where you can jump and it is available all year round. Why not arrange a jump with a group of friends or work colleagues? To register online, click here.
We can provide sponsor forms; advice on how to set up your own 'Virgin Money Giving' website; collection tins; a letter of authority (to say that you're raising funds for the Trust); a Meningitis Trust T-shirt or vest; training advice; and of course lots of support.
If you have already achieved something to shout about, please do share it and help motivate others throughout 2010!
5km Big Fun Runs
Leicester – Abbey Park on Sunday 5 September
Milton Keynes – Willen Lake on Sunday 26 September
Watford – Cassiobury Park on Saturday 2 October
To enter, please click on the above link or visit www.bigfunrun.com and select your chosen venue and the Meningitis Trust as your chosen charity.
When you register you will receive a free Meningitis Trust fundraising pack which includes a T-shirt, fundraising ideas, sponsorship forms, and training tips to prepare you for the big day. We will be here to support you before, during and after your run.
Local Events
Click here to download a list of local events happening throughout the year that you, your friends or family could take part in and help raise much-needed funds for the Meningitis Trust.
Inspirational ideas for fundraisers:
If you are still looking for that great idea to fundraise for the Trust throughout January, check out some of our other suggestions below:
eBay for Charity is an easy way for buyers and sellers on eBay.co.uk to support their charity of choice. Buyers can shop for items knowing they’re supporting a good cause, be it an everyday bargain or a special auction. Sellers, whether they’re individuals or businesses, can donate a percentage from any sale to a charity and add Gift Aid to their donations. (Sellers should choose the Advanced Sell form). Charities can also sell their own items directly on eBay.co.uk. So why not buy or sell an item for the Meningitis Trust today?
Supermarket and street collections - If you, your family and friends are interested in taking part in collections at local supermarkets or shopping centres, then please get in touch. We can apply to supermarkets and local councils for the relevant permission and licenses. As well as raising much-needed funds they are also great ways to raise awareness of the disease and of the work of the Trust.
Donations in lieu - maybe this year you are feeling generous, so would like to ask your friends and family to give a donation to the Trust in lieu of a special occasion. We often receive donations in lieu of birthday, anniversary or wedding presents. We can provide you with our donation leaflets; like a card which friends and family can fill out and give back to you. You get to keep the card bit and the donation form is sent back to us.
Organise your own event – Do you have an idea for your own event in mind? If so, please get in touch - we can provide you with advice and answers to any questions you may have and help with a press release to let your local media know about your event. We also have a range of fundraising materials on offer to help promote your event. Click here to download our A-Z of fundraising ideas for some further suggestions for fundraising events.
Raising awareness in your local community
An important part of my role is to continue to make people aware of the threat of meningitis and its signs and symptoms.
If you know any local groups, schools or clubs that would be interested in having an awareness talk, then please contact me on 0845 120 4886 to discuss this further. We have a wide range of information and awareness materials available including leaflets, posters and our signs and symptoms cards.
Looking forward…
The Trust’s ever popular national events Coffee Break in March and Toddle Waddle in April are just around the corner.
Coffee Break is an easy way to fundraise. Forget about jumping out of a plane or shaving all your hair off, what could be simpler than enjoying a cup of coffee with friends, colleagues or local community group? Information packs are already available at www.meningitis-trust.org/coffeebreak. Log on to register your interest and receive your free pack full of goodies and helpful information. Why not incorporate your Coffee Break event with an awareness talk?
Toddle Waddle is a fun way for the under 5s to do their bit to promote awareness of meningitis with their very own sponsored walk or waddle! If you are a parent or grandparent of a young one, why not find out if your local nursery could organise a Toddle Waddle event in April and even invite our mascot, Monty the Duck, down? Please get in touch for your own information pack full of goodies and advice or click here.
That’s all for now but I will keep you updated with all upcoming events.
Don’t forget if you would like to help the work of the Meningitis Trust in the Central Region, call 0845 120 4886 or email joannek@meningitis-trust.org.
