Meningitis Now

Meningitis Now Making a difference, every day, to the lives of people affected by meningitis.

"We’ve been left pretty traumatised and mentally scarred after nearly losing our daughter at three weeks. No new parents...
05/09/2026

"We’ve been left pretty traumatised and mentally scarred after nearly losing our daughter at three weeks. No new parents should ever have to go through that.”

Kirsten and Jamie’s baby daughter Myla, fell ill at three weeks old and was rushed to hospital. Despite suffering a loss of hearing, her family feel lucky to have her here with them smashing life.

“At three weeks old, we noticed she was jerking a little...At just before 6am, Myla had a seizure. We rang 111, who were going to send an ambulance, but it may have taken two hours. We live 10 minutes from the hospital, so we rushed straight in.

“Myla had two more seizures in A&E and had to be given anti-seizure medication. Then she had to have CT and MRI scans, which showed old blood on her brain caused by the C-section. Myla was a bit of a mystery, as nothing was adding up.

“The next day one eye was fully closed and her mouth drooped. It was very touch and go this day as she took a real turn for the worse.

“On the Saturday, Myla picked up a little, and they took her for a lumbar puncture, which came back with Strep B and meningitis.

“After 14 long days and nights, we were discharged.

“We may have been really unlucky, but we feel so lucky too to have her here smashing life. If we hadn’t got her to hospital at the first sign when we knew something wasn’t right, it could have been such a different story."

You can read more about Myla's Story here:🔗 https://bit.ly/4crAFtV

28/08/2026

Join us for our flagship event on September 27th and help us in the fight against meningitis! 🧡

The Five Valleys Walk offers routes and activities suitable for all ages and abilities, showcasing the stunning views of the Cotswolds. The 21-mile route is a challenging option, but you can choose a distance that fits your needs, from 1.5 miles to the full course. After completing your walk, you can catch a bus back to any point along the route, thanks to our wonderful partners at Stagecoach.

This year, we are also introducing the Five Valleys 5K! This shorter, accessible walk will guide you along the scenic canal path to the Canalside Lawn at the Stonehouse Court Hotel. There will be activities for kids along the way, and you'll return to the Stroud Cricket Club to finish the event!

Treat yourself and your family this payday by purchasing your tickets through the link. 🔗 https://bit.ly/45Nh4zV

A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this day possible! 🥾 Renishaw Engineering -
Clarke Willmott Serious Injury & Medical Negligence Department - Clear Future Financial Planners - Green Future Architects - Stewarts - Parallel Blue Event Management

Friends and family of Megan Draper, who sadly died from MenB just five weeks after starting university, have taken on a ...
22/08/2026

Friends and family of Megan Draper, who sadly died from MenB just five weeks after starting university, have taken on a series of skydives in Megan's honour.

Mum Helen told us: "It was the best way to commemorate Megs, who was always up for an adventure and had previously wanted to do a skydive for her 18th birthday, but had decided to save her money for university instead.

“We felt it only fitting to have some of her family do it on what would have been her 19th birthday. It was so significant to do this on what was also a very painful day for us as a family to symbolise how much she enjoyed life and her positive outlook.”

“Megs was bright, vivacious, sporty and outgoing. We were devastated to learn that although she had a meningitis vaccination in secondary school (for MenACWY) this did not protect her against MenB – the most prevalent strain in uni students.”

Helen and her husband Lee have also been campaigning to raise awareness of MenB and have advocated for the vaccination to be provided for all university students.

Read the full story here - https://bit.ly/4xL9G4O

20/08/2026

We are proud to say Community Ambassador Lynette Tunde Adjei
is a finalist for the ‘Outstanding Commitment’ Award at this year’s
JustGiving Awards.

Marking 25 years since her son Ato was diagnosed with meningitis, Lynette brought her local community together and raised over £25,000 for Meningitis Now in 2025. 🧡

All comments, likes, and shares of the original post are also counted as a vote, so please help support Lynette on the post below. 🔗 https://fb.watch/J6y0RuvBOB/

Aaron Mills very sadly died of MenB in January. Now, Shaun McEntee, a family friend, is running 100 miles in his honour....
18/08/2026

Aaron Mills very sadly died of MenB in January. Now, Shaun McEntee, a family friend, is running 100 miles in his honour.

“This journey is for Aaron. He was a lifelong fan of Liverpool F.C. and held a season ticket at his local team, Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Running between the two stadiums represents the clubs he loved.

“Aaron was an incredible young man. He made more impact in his 18 years of life than most of us will make in a lifetime.

“The challenge is bigger than me. It is more meaningful than anything I have ever done and every step is going to be for Aaron.”

Shaun will be visiting several universities on the way to raise awareness of meningitis and encourage students to book in for their free MenB vaccines.

Read more here - https://bit.ly/4qhS6TA

Rebecca Lewis, from Swansea, had a gruelling experience being diagnosed with and ultimately surviving meningitis. She is...
15/08/2026

Rebecca Lewis, from Swansea, had a gruelling experience being diagnosed with and ultimately surviving meningitis. She is now passionate about spreading awareness as a Meningitis Now volunteer.

Rebecca explained to us why she believes she survived for a reason:
“I often ask myself why I survived when this devastating illness claims the lives of so many vibrant young people. I believe it’s because my story needs to be told so that the system changes. So much needs to change with how meningitis is handled and treated.

“Diagnosis needs to be swifter. A simple brain inflammation test and an immediate lumbar puncture should be mandatory the moment meningitis is even suspected.

“Our government must protect young people by ensuring the Meningitis B vaccine is readily accessible to ALL those who need it so that our youth stop needlessly dying.

"Meningitis is a medical emergency; it must be treated with the gravity it deserves.”

Read the full story through the link.🔗 - https://www.meningitisnow.org/meningitis-now-stories/news-centre/news/rebecca-lewiss-story/

Got your results? Now get your MenB jabs 💉You might have got your A-Level results today. If so, congratulations! Regardl...
13/08/2026

Got your results? Now get your MenB jabs 💉

You might have got your A-Level results today. If so, congratulations! Regardless of numbers on a page, you should be proud of yourself for being where you are today.

Now, as you look towards the future, we urge you to get your free MenB jabs.

Whether you are starting university in September, going to college, moving into shared accommodation or getting a job, if you are 17 or 18, you should get your two free MenB jabs.

The MenB vaccine protects against meningococcal B bacteria, which can cause meningitis and sepsis. Meningococcal B bacteria spreads through close contact, including living in the same household, kissing, or sharing items such as drinks or vapes.

Meningitis can kill within hours or leave survivors with life-changing after-effects – including limb loss, hearing loss and acquired brain injury.

The NHS’s one-off MenB vaccination programme is being offered to everyone in England and Wales born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, equivalent final-year school students in Scotland and Northern Ireland and those under 25 who will be attending university, or living in further education accommodation or halls of residence, for the first time in autumn 2026.

Two doses of the MenB vaccine are required for maximum protection. The second dose must be given at least four weeks after the first. The vaccine is fully effective two weeks after the second dose. The whole process takes six weeks from start to finish.

This is why it’s important to get a first dose as early as possible, ideally well before the autumn term begins if you are starting further education.

For more information, head to our website - https://bit.ly/3SqPJRG

‘I felt alone for so long until I discovered Meningitis Now.’ Stacy, 34, fell ill with viral meningitis soon after getti...
08/08/2026

‘I felt alone for so long until I discovered Meningitis Now.’

Stacy, 34, fell ill with viral meningitis soon after getting married. Stacy experienced a traumatic time at hospital before she was diagnosed.

She found support through the Meningitis Now team and our Peer Support Group, although she still struggles with ongoing after-effects.

Trigger warning – medical trauma

“A few weeks after we got married, we decided to have a weekend break. I felt a bit unwell but, as I was on antibiotics, I thought nothing of it. On the following Monday I had a really bad headache. I took painkillers but they did nothing and the pain continued to get worse. It was the most horrendous pain from the front of my right side all the way back into the base of my skull. I also had a temperature.

“All I remember thinking in the pain and delirium that followed was ‘I need an ambulance.’

Read the full story through the link. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4q3wBWp

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