We put people at the heart of everything we do. We exist to save lives and rebuild futures by funding research, raising awareness and supporting people affected by meningitis.

Around twenty five people a day contract meningitis in the UK* Following bacterial meningitis, 1 in 10 will die Many are left with long-term after-effects such as deafness, brain damage and limb loss

* Estimated annual average cases between 2007 and 2017 for all types of meningitis

Read Kirstine and Ian's story and why they ran for Meningitis Now below.

Both my girls were aged 18 months when they had meningitis. Jenny had viral and after a week in hospital came away unscathed. Nine years later, when she was also 18-months-old, Grace had pneumococcal septicaemia. New Year 2006 was spent in hospital praying she would survive. She did, but the meningitis took her hearing. She is now almost 14 and your average teenager. She has a cochlear implant and is currently doing her British Sign Language exams. For some unknown reason I first started running back in 2013. I thought it would be a good idea to run a half marathon even though I couldn't run for a bus! I signed up through the Meningitis Trust (now Meningitis Now). What better way to give something back for all the help and support we had received. Little did I know that I was about to meet my future husband through running. Both being new runners a mutual friend introduced us and we have not stopped running since.

Fast forward five years from our first run for Meningitis Now, we took part in the 2018 London 10,000. What an event! To date it is the best one we have taken part in. The level of support we received from Team Tangerine (aka Michaela and the team) was exceptional. From the first email all the questions we had were answered quickly. As for raising money, suggestions and motivation came thick and fast. On the day the support was fantastic. We met other parents who had been through a similar journey to us, compared notes and swapped stories. Each one provided another bit of motivation for the days forthcoming run. Vitality certainly know how to put a run on. The organisation was superb, with regular water stations and what seemed like a new band playing on each corner. We had reggae, brass bands, choirs, DJs and steel drums, to name but a few. Afterwards we had another chance to chat to the Meningitis Now staff and other parents and, of course, eat lots more of Michaela's chocolate! Cant wait until next year! (Kirstine, 2018)

Combining our favourite hobby with raising money for Meningitis Now has been fantastic. As a family we have benefited in so many ways from the support they have given. The Vitality 10k was such a great event as its long enough for experienced runners to enjoy and short enough for newcomers to really challenge themselves. For me, the best thing about this event was that EVERYONE was cheering us on. Having done a few events before we know that if you put your name on the front then people will call out and cheer you on. Its a great feeling when crowds are cheering your name and encouraging you to keep going. This year we also had names on the back too. I had Hare and Kirstine had Tortoise. We had so many faster runners pass us and shout things like my moneys on the tortoise, or just laughing and patting us on the back for encouragement. Such a great atmosphere. We had the privilege to meet some of the other Meningitis Now runners too. Hearing their stories was a great reminder of why we were all there. Powerful stuff. Thank you Meningitis Now for all that you have done and continue to do. Its an honour to support you. See you at the start line! (Ian, 2018)