The founders of Caroline Gardner Publishing have become Meningitis Now's newest patrons.
Husband and wife team Caroline and Angus Gardner, have been invited to be Meningitis Now patrons in recognition of their significant contribution to the charity’s mission to raise awareness of meningitis in the UK.
The Gardners started supporting Meningitis Now 25 years ago, after their 6-month-old son, Sebastian, contracted meningococcal septicaemia. Thankfully, he recovered and the couple started looking for ways to support other families like theirs who have lived through the devastation of meningitis.
Generously donated
Through their business fundraising, the couple have raised over £290,000 via Christmas card sales, Waitrose reusable bag ranges and point-of-sale fundraising. They have helped secure pro-bono support towards initiatives such as the awareness film, The Fastest Hour, and have generously donated gifts for competition giveaways and raffles.
The patronage was officially announced at Meningitis Now’s London Christmas concert on Monday 15th of December. Angus said: “Our son Sebastian was a very young baby when he contracted meningococcal septicaemia, and although he has been left with some hearing loss, we count ourselves extraordinarily fortunate that he came through it relatively unscathed.
“Of course, it’s vaccines and antibiotics which lie at the heart of how meningitis is combatted, and we are incredibly proud of the part the charity has played, and continues to play, in that endeavour. But with a disease that can be so swift and so hard to identify, its education - the knowledge of the symptoms and how to recognise them - which is surely our collective front-line defence.
Initial motivation
“This was the initial motivation for Caroline and me to become involved with, what 25 years ago, was The Meningitis Trust. The charity placed education, as well as support and care at its core, and that focus really hit home for us.
“Over the past 25 years or so, we have been extremely fortunate to meet so many members of the dedicated and hardworking team at the charity, who do so much to help those affected by this horrific disease. So, this is my opportunity to say a huge ‘new patron’ thank you to absolutely everyone involved.”
Meningitis Now’s CEO Dr Tom Nutt said: “Inviting Caroline and Angus Gardner to be Patrons of Meningitis Now reflects our enormous gratitude for their longstanding commitment to our charity as well as the invaluable partnership we have with Caroline Gardner Publishing.
Vital awareness
“Over many years, the sale of their beautifully designed cards and other products has helped to raise important funds for Meningitis Now and vital awareness of meningitis and the work of our charity. But our partnership runs deeper than this. It is about their characteristic kindness and the fact that all the Gardner family – as well as the whole business – have been part of their efforts over 25 years. I don’t think we could ask for better patrons
