"For any business considering a charity to partner with we would certainly recommend a conversation with Meningitis Now. The team are a delight to work with."
From the 1st-31st of October Turtle Tots swim schools across the UK will be taking part in a series of fun, water-based activities to help raise funds for Meningitis Now.
Babies and toddlers will be sponsored for their superb swimming by friends and family as they take part in the Splash Now activities, all whilst building confidence in the water and raising awareness about meningitis.
As under-fives are a key at-risk group for contracting meningitis, the Splash Now campaign helps to inform parents about the risks of meningitis and how to protect children against the disease.
Amazing effort
In an amazing effort to help raise awareness, Turtle Tots teams around the country have given out 6,800 lifesaving meningitis signs and symptoms cards over the past four years!
As if this wasn’t enough, Turtle Tots have raised an incredible £101,491.23, including gift aid, to date. A big shout out goes to Turtle Tots North Kent, who were the top fundraisers last year, raising a whopping £3,070.
Splash Now was created in honour of baby Clara, who died of meningitis when she was just 10 months old in 2010. This year, Clara would have been turning 16 – her legacy lives on in all the children who take part in Splash Now.
Caroline Sparks, co-founder of Turtle Tots said:
“We have customers who have been directly affected by meningitis so understand first-hand the positive impact the charity makes. It’s important to us to raise awareness of the symptoms if meningitis amongst our community of franchisees, teachers, and parents.
Give back
“For Turtle Tots it’s important to support a charity and give something back to our communities. The team at Meningitis Now are a delight to work with. For any business considering a charity to partner with we would certainly recommend a conversation with Meningitis Now to find out more about the valuable work they do and the difference they make."
Last year’s top fundraiser, Charlotte Tiller, said:
“We were very honoured to take part in last year’s Splash Now campaign for Meningitis Now, and being in the top three Turtle Tots fundraisers was a fantastic bonus. Our families are always incredibly generous and eager to support this important cause.
Means so much
“Meningitis can affect anyone, but it poses a particular risk to the age group of our swimmers. That’s why it means so much to us to be able to give something back, to support the amazing work that Meningitis Now does and to help raise awareness by distributing signs and symptoms cards. It’s a small but vital step in helping protect more families.
“I had the privilege of meeting the Mould family last week at our annual development day, where Meningitis Now came to share the plans for this year’s campaign. The family shared the emotional story of their little girl, Marlee, a Turtle Tots swimmer from Staffordshire, who contracted meningitis last year. Hearing what they went through was incredibly moving; it’s every parent's worst nightmare.
Little fighter
“Marlee is clearly a little fighter, and it was truly humbling to hear how Meningitis Now supported the family during such a difficult time. Knowing that the funds we raised may have played even a small part in helping families like theirs makes our efforts feel even more worthwhile.
“We’re hopeful that this year’s Splash Now campaign will raise even more awareness and vital funds for this amazing charity.”
You can show your support and cheer on the turtles taking part this year by making a donationhere.
Turtle Tots swim schools can sign up here.
