Our Rebuilding Futures Fund has helped to create a private remembrance garden for a young girl who sadly lost her mother to meningitis five years ago.
Grandfather Paul is sharing the family’s story to support our Spring Appeal this year. Friday 30 May is our first ‘Fiver Friday’. With £5 having such little purchasing power these days, we’re asking those who can, not to spend it, but to donate it to us instead to help us save lives and rebuild futures – and provide more special places to remember those who have sadly died following meningitis. Your donation could help make all the difference to a family facing the devastating aftermath of meningitis.
Paul told us: ‘In February 2020 we lost our daughter (NAME) to this cruel condition at the age of 35. She left behind an 8-month-old baby girl (NAME) and a heartbroken husband and family.
“Recently our granddaughter started asking questions about why she couldn’t visit a grave for her mummy and place flowers there as her friends at school do when they visit their grandparents’ graves. There is only a book of remembrance at the crematorium.
Quiet moments to reflect
“We came up with the idea of creating a memorial garden for our granddaughter at home where she could spend time and have quiet moments with her daddy to reflect.
“We created the garden with Meningitis Now’s help, putting down some hard stone, getting a birdbath (a robin often visits the garden) and providing a pot with a rose named after (daughter). There’s also a bench with an engraving of her name and a tree that sits with mummy’s ashes in the pot in the garden.
Made a huge difference
“The award has made a huge difference to the whole family and it is a place where we can all sit and reflect, which really helps us all. We are so grateful to receive this award – it has helped us to create a wonderful place for our granddaughter to remember her mummy.
“It brought a tear to my eye when I heard that our application had been successful.”
Paul, who has supported Meningitis Now previously through running the London Marathon twice, adds: “The application process was seamless and straightforward with Meningitis Now staff always on hand to help with the process. The charity has helped us immensely since our tragic loss.”
The difference our Rebuilding Futures Fund makes
Meningitis Now’s Helpline and Information Nurse Manager Claire Donovan said: “This is exactly the sort of help the Rebuilding Futures Fund is there to provide. It can make such a difference to those fighting back from meningitis. We’re so pleased to know that our Rebuilding Futures Fund support for (NAME) and her family is having such a positive impact on their lives.”
Claire added: “We know meningitis can have a devastating impact on many aspects of life and affect people’s ability to engage in some of the things most people take for granted.
“That’s where our Rebuilding Futures Fund can make such a difference by providing a practical solution that works, bringing opportunity and reducing stress and anxiety.
“We’re proud to provide this unique, life-changing support – the only meningitis organisation to do so in the UK.”
Support for people of all ages
Our Rebuilding Futures Fund provides financial, practical and emotional support for people of all ages affected by meningitis.
It comprises four separate areas – Health and Wellbeing; Opportunities; Specialist Equipment; and Bereavement. Each area provides funding towards different types of support, but they are all designed to help people rebuild their futures with hope and confidence.
If you, or someone you know would benefit from the Rebuilding Futures Fund, please get in touch by contacting your Regional Community Support Officer or our Helpline, on 0808 80 10 388 or by emailing helpline@meningitisnow.org.
