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Former financial services managing director to be a trustee for Gloucestershire charity
11 August 2009
Former leading stockbroker Alastair Irvine has joined the Board of Trustees for Stroud-based the Meningitis Trust, the UK’s longest established meningitis charity.
Alastair, a stockbroker for more than 20 years and a former Managing Director of leading financial services institution Merrill Lynch, knows only too well how devastating the impact of meningitis can be. He contracted the disease as a four year old and was left with hearing difficulties.
"I know that I am lucky compared with the after-effects some people have to live with, but meningitis completely changed my life. I now have three children and, as a parent, I know how frightening this disease is,” said Alastair who is currently an independent consultant.
“I have been so impressed by the work undertaken by the Trust; it really does provide a lifeline of support and after-care to everyone affected by meningitis. What is even more impressive is that everything is paid for through donations from individuals, companies and organisations.”
Alastair, who lives in Lincolnshire, will be working with the Board to ensure the Trust can reach and support more people whose lives have been affected by meningitis.
The Meningitis Trust is the UK longest established meningitis charity and is dedicated to helping rebuild lives shattered by meningitis. Meningitis can affect anyone, of any age, at any time. It can strike in an instant, but its impact can last a lifetime.
The charity helps around 20,000 people each year through its range of specialist services; giving vital support to those who have been affected by this life-changing disease. With as many as 500,000 people living in the UK who have had either viral or bacterial meningitis and up to one adult in every four knowing of someone who has had meningitis, the charity’s ongoing work is much-needed. However the Trust relies on voluntary donations to continue its work, so guidance from Alistair is vital to its future.
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