Meningitis Trust needs Larne’s ongoing support

It’s only with the help of local communities that we are able to continue our vital work, helping to rebuild lives shattered by meningitis and save lives through awareness.

Meningitis can strike anyone, of any age, at any time. Those who survive can be left with devastating after-effects, including loss of hearing and sight, brain damage and, where septicaemia (blood poisoning) has occurred, loss of limbs. These after-effects can last a lifetime and have a huge impact on all aspects of daily life for family, friends and colleagues, as well as for the individual affected.

At the Trust, we’re dedicated to helping all those people who have experienced meningitis rebuild their lives and have a better future through our range of free specialist support services. These services include home visits, counselling, financial support grants, creative therapy sessions, family days and our 24-hour Freephone nurse-led helpline.

We rely entirely on voluntary donations, which means support from local individuals, families, schools, nurseries and businesses is fundamental to our survival. We need £8,000 a day, or over £5 every minute, to keep our lifeline open. For those of you who have given so generously to us this year, thank you for helping us to help others who need us.

Our free 24-hour helpline is open 365 days a year, so readers can call us if they need us right across Christmas and the New Year, on 0808 80 10 388, or visit our website at www.meningitis-trust.org.

Thank you all once again and best wishes for 2013.

Judith Cuthbert and Joanne Wilson,

Meningitis Trust,

Northern Ireland