Celebrity support
We are extremely pleased that the following celebrities are keen to support the charity's mission to eradicate meningitis and have endorsed our Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign:
Sandi Toksvig | David Craig | Lorraine Tighe| Lee Sharpe | Philippa Forrester | Beverley Knight
Martin Clunes
.jpg "Martin Clunes with Marshall")
CORNWALL'S most famous fictional doctor helped us launch our Colour My Friday fundraising and awareness campaign. Martin, otherwise known as Doc Martin from the hit ITV series, made a special visit to Truro to meet courageous meningitis survivor Marshall Janson.
Martin lost his own grandmother to the deadly disease and was keen to lend his support. He said: "Marshall's a very courageous little boy and it was an honour to meet him. I'm amazed at how resilient he's been.
"Meningitis is a rotten disease which resonates with my own family. It's great to be able to lend a hand, both to improve Marshall's future and help find a vaccine to protect people in the future."
Sandi Toksvig
Sandi made a heartfelt appeal for Meningitis UK on Radio 4 in 2009. We approached the popular author, comedian and presenter after hearing how her daughter Megan fell ill while on holiday with friends in Cornwall aged 16.
Sandi remembers the "terrifying" experience vividly and was glad to be able to help raise almost £10,000 towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.
Sandi said: "I was really pleased to be able to help Meningitis UK with their appeal. After the scare we had I know how wonderful it would be if a vaccine could be found for the disease. When doctors said she had meningitis I felt terrified because I knew it was a killer."
Thankfully blood results came back and confirmed Megan had "meningism" - all the symptoms of meningitis but thankfully it hadn't quite reached the lining of her brain.
You can listen to our Radio 4 Appeal on the BBC website (external link).
David Craig
David, better known as Jaff from rock band The Futureheads, swapped his guitar for running trainers when he took part in the London Marathon for Meningitis UK. He was running in memory of school friend Glenn Robinson who died from the disease in 1997, aged 16.
The 26.2 mile event came just the day before Sunderland-based The Futureheads embarked on a national tour and released their latest album The Chaos. Jaff did the band proud and finished in around four hours and 45 mins, raising over £2,000.
He said: "It was a hard slog but well worth it. I chose to run for Meningitis UK because of its vaccine research work. Because of what happened to Glenn, I personally know how quickly meningitis can kill. I really feel that a vaccine is the best way to stop it in its tracks and save people in the future."
Lorraine Tighe
.jpg "Lorraine Tighe with daughters Alexia and Lauren")
Lorraine Tighe, star of The Apprentice, nearly lost her daughter Alexia to meningitis. Lorraine says, "My daughter Alexia fell ill with meningitis just over two years ago and it was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. Doctors said that had she been treated any later then chances were she would have died. Thankfully she received expert care and made a full recovery, much to our relief and amazement.
She's now a bright five-year old and not a day goes by when I don't feel lucky to have her. It's heartbreaking to know that hundreds of people die from meningitis and thousands more are left with devastating after-effects.
I want to use my 15 minutes of fame from The Apprentice to achieve something positive, which is why I'm taking this opportunity to raise awareness of the deadly disease and the need to seek prompt treatment. I'm proud to support the work of Meningitis UK and its mission to eradicate meningitis completely."
Since pledging her support just after The Apprentice series in the first half on 2009, Lorraine's story about how she nearly lost her disease was featured in The Daily Mail (external link). She also joined over 200 walkers for Meningitis UK's Summer Stroll from Bath to Bristol on Saturday 20th June.
Lee Sharpe
Lee Sharpe, the former Manchester United winger who now has a thriving career in reality TV, suffered from a bout of viral meningitis in the early 1990s, and is now a supporter of raising the awareness of meningitis, its symptoms and how to find a vaccine.
In the summer of 1992 Lee was struck down with illness during pre-season training with Manchester United. He had a range of symptoms from migraines, sickness, and slurred speech. After a couple of days of worsening symptoms Lee was taken to hospital and diagnosed with viral meningitis.
Lee says: “It was a worrying time for a while as no one really knew what was wrong with me straight away and none of us really new much about viral meningitis before, it’s not something you read about much or know about. I was lucky enough to recover back to full health but for so many people, meningitis destroys lives and the lives of families after their loved ones have gone.
I am proud to support the Meningitis UK’s “Search 4 a Vaccine”. I urge people to please support the “Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign” and help raise funds to find a vaccine.”
Philippa Forrester
Philippa Forrester says: “As a mum of three children I am all too aware of the threat of meningitis and the devastating affects it can have on a family. Meningitis is such a dangerous disease because of the speed and ferocity with which it strikes. Often by the time the red spots or rash shows, it is often too late. People need to be more aware of what symptoms to look out for. Early recognition of meningitis and fast treatment can often mean the difference between life and death.
Meningitis UK has a single focus – to find a vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis. We all need to support this mission, not only for our own children and families, but for future generations too. Please support the “Search 4 a vaccine Campaign” and help raise funds to find a vaccine.”
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight says: “Last year I lost my baby cousin Makai when he was five and a half months old. In 72 hours, he went from his cot to a hospital morgue. This is the speed at which meningitis kills. Stephanie and Dwayne, his parents, are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of their only child. His death has left a gaping hole in the lives of our whole family, and what makes this so painful to endure is that our story is being repeated over and over again, every day, in many families all over the UK.
Measures must be taken to help put an end to the misery suffered by the many thousands affected by meningitis. Education has been a positive step in the right direction, however, we desperately need the funding necessary to find a preventative vaccine. Please support the "Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign" so we can raise seven million pounds over seven years to put this plan into action.”
In addition to the above, we also have a number of official patrons of the charity - many of whom are celebrities - who support our vital work.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774