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Meningitis Research Foundation

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Fundraisers created by supporters like you

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Ben Pinker is fundraising
Mid-Night Hike for Meningitis Research Foundation
We are a group of friends myself, Aaron, Rob, and Cam coming together to honour and support our close friend Thomas Vowles, who is currently in hospital battling bacterial meningitis and endocarditis.

Thomas was rushed into hospital on Boxing Day 2025 and placed under immediate sedation for urgent treatment. After being sedated for over a week, he is now in the long and challenging process of recovery a road that requires strength, patience, and ongoing medical care. As his friends, we’ve seen his resilience, kindness, and unwavering commitment to his community, and we want to give back in his name.

To raise funds, we are taking on a challenge called The Mid-Night Hike climbing Pen Y Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales, in the middle of the night. We will begin our ascent at 10PM on February 27, 2026, and aim to return around 3–4AM, guided only by head torches and flashlights. We will also be joined by members of the Bristol Patriots, who are hiking alongside us in support of Thomas. Tom never missed one of these hiking trips, so this climb is especially meaningful in his honour.

Thomas is a passionate, determined, and community-driven individual. Over the past year, he volunteered as a marshal at local events, supported organizations like the Thornbury Christmas Lights, and consistently gave his time to help others. He loves skateboarding, hiking, and reliving memories through old videos while in hospital. As friends, we deeply miss his energy and spirit and we want to carry that spirit with us on this climb.

Who the Funds Are For

All funds raised will go directly to the Meningitis Research Foundation, a charity dedicated to fighting meningitis, supporting families, and preventing future cases.

How the Funds Will Be Used

Your donations will specifically support:

Breakthrough medical research into meningitis prevention and treatment

Direct financial and emotional

support for affected families

Global advocacy, education, and prevention programs

Life-saving awareness and rapid-response initiatives

How Funds Will Be Delivered

All donations will be processed through the official Meningitis Research Foundation fundraising platform, ensuring funds are secure, transparent, and delivered directly to the charity.
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34 supporters
Owen Hanlon is fundraising
Running the Great North run for Meningitis
Want to join me in making a difference? I’m raising money to benefit Meningitis Research Foundation, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Meningitis Research Foundation: Our vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. To achieve this we fund research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. We promote education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and give support to people affected
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9 supporters
Jodie Hales is fundraising
Jodies skydive for Meningitis Research Foundation
On 9th February 2025, at just three months old, our little Eddie was rushed to hospital and later diagnosed with meningitis. Watching our tiny baby on oxygen, being tube-fed, and enduring the painful procedure of a lumbar puncture was something no parent should ever have to see. There were moments when things looked far from great, and those days felt impossibly long and frightening for all of us.

After nearly a week in hospital, Eddie was finally well enough to be discharged on 14th February 2025, but Eddie's journey wasn't over just yet as we had to visit the hospital every day for treatment and checks until 22nd February. The strength and resilience Eddie displayed was remarkable. The incredible teams at Colchester hospital gave Eddie the chance to keep fighting and gave us hope and support when we needed it most.

This cause is truly close to our hearts, and that’s why I, Eddie’s mummy, am doing something far outside my comfort zone: taking part in a skydive to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation to support much needed research, in their mission to end meningitis by 2030.

Every donation, big or small, means the world to us.

Thank you so much for supporting us.

Thank you for supporting Eddie’s journey.
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20 supporters
abi jones is fundraising
Raise money for Meningitis
Hi, I’m Abi, and this year I’m taking on the huge challenge of running the London Marathon 2026 to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Meningitis is a cause that is incredibly close to my heart. My uncle and partners brother both passed away from meningitis, and their loss has had a profound impact on everyone who loved them. Their stories remind me of how important it is to support research, awareness, and early detection efforts that can save lives.

Meningitis is a devastating illness that can change lives in moments. Its suddenness—and the lasting impact it can have on individuals and families—makes it a cause that’s deeply important to me. I want to use this opportunity not only to push myself physically and mentally, but also to support a charity that is working tirelessly to improve early diagnosis, fund vital research, and support those affected.

Every donation, no matter the size, is you helping to fund crucial scientific research, raise awareness, and support families who are facing one of the toughest experiences imaginable. Everything raised will go directly to the Meningitis Research Foundation, ensuring they can continue their life-saving work.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and thank you in advance for your support towards my fundraising. It truly means the world to me.
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10 supporters
Paul Dodd is fundraising
Doddys 50th Anniversary Wheaton Aston 10k
Want to join me in making a difference? I’m raising money to benefit Meningitis Research Foundation, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Meningitis Research Foundation: Our vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. To achieve this we fund research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. We promote education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and give support to people affected

At the age of 3 on 27th December 1975 I contracted Meningococcal Meningitis. Having spent time in hospital I was one of the fortunate ones, I was left with tone deafness, mood swings and depression. Although these have caused me many issues throughout my life, at least I had survived and with all limbs intact unlike other less fortunate sufferers. To mark the 50th anniversary of that day I will be dusting off my running kit and dragging my body around the Wheaton Aston 10k course on Saturday 27th December 2025 to help raise funds in the fight against Meningitis. I will also be holding a Tea, Coffee and Cake morning at the Coach and Horses, Wheaton Aston on Sunday 21st December from 10.30am.

All donations are very much appreciated. Much Love, Keep Strong ❤️ Doddy x
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27 supporters
Holly Topley is fundraising
Leo’s fundraiser
I’m raising money to benefit Meningitis Research Foundation in memory of my brave little cousin Leo David Wells who sadly lost his battle with meningococcal septicaemia on 25th March 2010.

Any donations are greatly appreciated.

More information about Meningitis Research Foundation: Our vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. To achieve this we fund research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. We promote education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and give support to people affected.

Leo’s story told by his incredibly strong mother Lana Wells : Leo and I attended an Easter party on Tuesday 23 March at mums and tots and we had a great day. He played with his cousins till late afternoon but at around 4.30pm he complained of a sore stomach and had a slight temperature.

His temperature hit 38 so we took him to the emergency doctor who gave him penicillin and diagnosed tonsillitis. At this stage Leo's temperature was 39....

I took him up to bed with me at 11.05pm. He woke at 3am asking for water; I gave him a drink then saw a shadow on his torso so I turned on the light and saw the rash. I have never seen anything like it and I knew straight away it was meningitis.

We rang 999 and the ambulance crew thought it could be an allergic reaction, but two miles into the journey they put the boot down as Leo started to go unconscious.

Craigavon Hospital managed to bring him round with drips and fluid and he asked for a purple Fruit Shoot and his favourite Spiderman sweeties. He talked a bit to the doctors before they put him in a drug induced coma. It was then confirmed to be meningococcal septicaemia.

At 10am he was transferred to the Royal Victoria for Sick Children PICU. He started to breathe against the machines so they paralsyed him early evening of the 24th.

At midnight he bit down on a suction tube in his mouth which the nurse said showed how strong he was. He was also receiving medication to try and save his limbs.

We stayed in a parents’ room that night and we got the knock at 3am – Leo had crashed for the first time. The second time he crashed his pupils were fixed and dilated and the consultant told us that the Leo we knew was gone...

Both sets of grandparents arrived at 5.45am and Leo was placed onto my knee with his Dad at his side, where he fell asleep for the last time at 5.55am.

All the doctors and nurses and staff involved in Leo's care were unbelievable.... it all happened so fast, not much more than 24 hours. He was such a brave little boy and he fought right to the end.
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65 supporters
Daniel Gromov is fundraising
Budapest marathon to battle meningitis
I will be running the 2025 Budapest marathon to raise money for The Meningitis Research Foundation and their mission to end meningitis and septicaemia.

2.5 million people globally are affected by meningitis, with small children and students being most at risk. Sadly one in ten people who contract meningitis die, and two in ten are left with life changing impairments. The money raised for MRF will aid in the eradication of meningitis and septicaemia by 2030, saving countless lives.

Feel free to follow me on Strava ‍♂️✌️

Please donate if you can, every penny helps, thank you
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27 supporters
Ethan Clelland is fundraising
meningitis research
Hi my names Ethan and on the 28 september 2025 i’ll be taking on the ATW WHELYN Half Marathon to support Meningitis Research.

This charity means a lot to people but more specifically my Dad. My Dads done 2 marathons in the past to support meningitis as he lost one of his good mates back in 2017. It’s now my turn to take on the challenge and do this for him.

Any donations are really appreciated ❤️
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18 supporters
kimberly Gill is fundraising
Meningitis
Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Meningitis Research Foundation by challenging myself to run the great north run , every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me. My own daughter Pollyanna was sadly born with meningitis and we all had a very rough first week of her life , involving special care baby units , drips , tests and the very scary lumbar puncture procedure . We however were one of the lucky ones and we now have a very healthy 6 year old with no lasting health issues , some families are sadly not so lucky

More information about Meningitis Research Foundation: Our vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. To achieve this we fund research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. We promote education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and give support to people affected
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10 supporters
Alex Fleming is fundraising
Kili to London: Fighting a Silent Killer
Alright, here’s the deal

A while ago I got my place in the 2026 London Marathon but to run it, I have to raise a minimum of £2,300 for a charity of my choice mine being Meningitis Research Foundation. People suggested a bake sale or a pub quiz to raise the funds required, so I’m spending 7 days on Kilimanjaro’s Lemosho Route, finishing with a 6-8 hour midnight push to nearly 20,000 feet, in –20°C, where oxygen is only 50% of what your body needs because I don’t really like quizzes.

Meningitis typically affects young women it’s the kind of thing that could hit your daughters, your sisters, your mates. My family and friends have lost people this way. It’s quick, brutal deaths that come out of nowhere. It can kill within hours but that’s not the only danger.

Even if you survive it, it can leave you permanently disabled.

People lose limbs.

They lose their hearing, their ability to walk, talk, think clearly.

You might wake up a completely different version of yourself.

That’s what we’re dealing with.

I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I watched it happen in real time. At the time, I didn’t know what I was looking at. But I do now and that’s why I’m so passionate about it. I want others to know too because if you act fast, people survive. That’s the difference.

Meningitis Research Foundation works to fund research, raise awareness, and support families whose lives have been torn apart by this disease.

I ran the Windermere Marathon for them in 2023, and the support from everyone was unreal. But this time, I can’t just ask for more donations for another run around a lake so I’ve upgraded to altitude sickness and frostbite.

I’ve got no choice but to raise the money now.

If I don’t raise the full amount, I can’t run London meaning I’ll have spent a week throwing myself up Kilimanjaro just to come home with trench foot and no medal.

So if you’ve got a spare few quid, please help me make this happen.

Sponsor the climb. Support the cause. Help save lives.

Thanks Legends x
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4 supporters
Ross Clarke is fundraising
Ross Climbing Kilimanjaro for MRF ️
Hi, I am Ross, an ultra runner from County Antrim, Northern Ireland. I am the youngest ever to run the entire 555km length of Ireland, and have recently ran the toughest foot race on Earth, the legendary Marathon Des Sables. I am slowing down this August as I swap out the runners for more altitude. I am climbing to the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro!

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Meningitis Research Foundation and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause.

More information about Meningitis Research Foundation: Our vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. To achieve this we fund research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. We promote education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and give support to people affected!
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1 supporter

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Sylvia Clarke donated to Mid-Night Hike for Meningitis Research Foundation
£106 hrs
Supr Dupr donated to Running the Great North run for Meningitis
£692 d
Shay Lawson donated to Mid-Night Hike for Meningitis Research Foundation
£103 d
Ashley Thomas donated to Running the Great North run for Meningitis
£103 d
Stephen Burge donated to Mid-Night Hike for Meningitis Research Foundation
£503 d
MR JOHN K THOMAS donated to Running the Great North run for Meningitis
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Catherine Macon donated to Running the Great North run for Meningitis
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Christopher Hanlon donated to Running the Great North run for Meningitis
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Beth jefferies donated to Mid-Night Hike for Meningitis Research Foundation
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Georgia Hargrave donated to Mid-Night Hike for Meningitis Research Foundation
£104 d

Charity information

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Meningitis Research Foundation

Mid-Night Hike for Meningitis Research Foundation

Running the Great North run for Meningitis

Jodies skydive for Meningitis Research Foundation

Raise money for Meningitis

Doddys 50th Anniversary Wheaton Aston 10k

Leo’s fundraiser

Budapest marathon to battle meningitis

meningitis research

Meningitis

Kili to London: Fighting a Silent Killer

Ross Climbing Kilimanjaro for MRF ️

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Charity information