Family and friends of student Megan came together for a series of skydives in memory of the 18-year-old.
Megan sadly died from MenB just five weeks after starting university. Megan’s mother, Helen, one of those taking part in the skydives, said: “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.”
So far the team’s efforts have raised a sky-high £7,600 towards our ongoing work, with more on the way.
Loved being active and adventurous
Helen added: “Megs had a zest for life and loved being active and adventurous.
“After her death to MenB her Aunt Sarah, my sister, challenged me to fulfil Meg's ambition and to do the skydive in her honour. I am terrified of heights, but felt we had to have Meg's passion for life and go for it.
“I approached Meg's friends at Bournemouth University to see if any of them wanted to join us and was so impressed and humbled by how many wanted to take part.
“It just seemed fitting to mimic Meg's passion for life in this way.”
Everyone was amazingly calm considering
The skydives went smoothly, Helen told us: “Everyone was amazingly calm considering they were throwing themselves out of a tiny plane at 10,000 feet.
“As we watched them turn into tiny little dots it was a welcome sight to see the parachutes all open and them gracefully land one by one with big smiles on their faces.
“We feel proud, privileged and grateful to Megs’ friends for fundraising for such an amazing charity in her honour and it is a true testament that they are also as adventurous as Megs was! “
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.
“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.”
One of many events
The skydives are just a couple of many events the family are taking part in to raise awareness of meningitis and funds to fight it.
They have been overwhelmed by the support from the community across netball tournaments and the Swansea Half Marathon, alongside the skydives. And 30 of Helen’s colleagues at Coleg Gwent will be taking part in the Brecon Beacons Horseshoe Challenge in September.
“We are so grateful to all those who have donated for each of these charity events. We are also very appreciative of the support the charity has given us both on a personal level and with campaigning for change to try and prevent this devastation from happening to other families,” Helen added.
We are very grateful for the support from everyone who is taking part too. Claire Ellis, our Senior Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you so much to Helen, Lee and everyone for taking on these challenges in Megs’ memory – we really appreciate your support. Every pound raised helps us fight back against this devastating disease through supporting those who have been affected by it and enabling us to be here for everyone who needs us.”
Skydives are proving a popular fundraiser at the moment. Three Meningitis Now team members – Lisa, Laura and Dawn – recently undertook one and our Ambassador Louise Greer has also recently tested her fear of heights by doing one too! If you’re up for the challenge why not give it a go? Find out more and sign up here.
