Donations are always important but during unprecedented times like the meningitis outbreaks we have responded to this year, they are more essential than ever.
In the first two-week period of the Kent outbreak demand for our support and information surged. We saw:
- 600 more people reaching out to our nurse-led Helpline staff
- 500 information packs sent to those seeking trusted guidance
- 150,000 signs and symptoms cards distributed to raise vital awareness
- Website traffic also rose sevenfold as people searched for trusted information
Hundreds of calls and emails came into our Helpline from worried parents, students, schools and universities seeking guidance and reassurance. Our Helpline team worked tirelessly to provide calm, compassionate support during an incredibly anxious time.
Accurate and timely information
Our communications team also worked around the clock to ensure accurate and timely information was reaching the public. Through our social media channels, website updates, interviews and media statements, we reached millions of people with vital information.
In a normal month, we usually feature in around 50 news articles on radio, TV, online and print. During the Kent outbreak that rose to over 2,500 in just a fortnight.
All of this activity, not least printing and posting hundreds of life-saving materials, incurred high costs which we have only been able to cover thanks to generous donations from our supporters. Demand for our support remains high, with enquiries continuing to rise as more people turn to us for help and vital information.
Need for support as real as ever
For those facing meningitis today, the need for support, reassurance, and lifesaving awareness is as real as ever. This month’s vaccine announcement for some young people is a positive step forward but there remains work to be done.
Every so often, we invite supporters to give just £5, the cost of a coffee or small treat, to help us be there when it matters most. Fiver Friday is a simple way to turn £5 into support, reassurance, and lifesaving awareness for people facing meningitis.
- £5 could help fund the first call to our nurse-led Helpline - providing calm, expert support when it’s needed most.
- £5 could help print 138 signs and symptoms cards, putting lifesaving knowledge into more hands.
- Every fiver helps us reach further, support more families, and get life-saving information in front of high-risk groups like students.
If you can give this Fiver Friday, we would be so grateful for your support.
