Colleges and universities

Students (aged 15-23) are the second most at risk group from meningitis.

It is estimated that 10% of the population carry the organism which causes meningitis and this increases to 25% for students. Shared accommodation, sitting in close confines and prolonged exposure to bacteria can lead to an increased risk of infection, so keep an eye on your fellow students – they may not be suffering from a cold or a hangover; it could be meningitis!

What you can do

There are lots of ways to help people who have been affected by this devastating disease. To raise money you could get your university to choose us as its Rag beneficiary or you could get a group together to take part in a run,walk, cycle or perhaps you could organise your own fundraising - the world's your oyster!

We would also be happy to come and talk to you about our work, provide symptoms cards and explain how your support helps us. We have also just launched a new iPhone application on the signs and symptoms of meningitis, which you could encourage your mates to download.

Belfast Metropolitan College

HND Sport and Leisure Management students at Belfast Metropolitan College organised, and took part in, a Static Santa Cycle in December 2009. This was part of their module of health promotion. They certainly got their fellow students attention being dressed as Santas in the college foyer!

Paul Shaw, course tutor, said: ”The students came up with the idea of turning the health promotion project into a fundraising project as they wanted to not only encourage people to exercise, but also do it for a good cause. With increasing numbers of people doing challenge events for charity, they wanted to do something to make a difference. They certainly did, as they raised £1,000 on the day and distributed lots of meningitis symptoms cards to students. We chose the Meningitis Trust as a few members of the class had known families who had been affected by the disease."