On Saturday the 1st June The four of us will be entering the gruelling Samworth Brothers Charity Challenge. This adventure race of canoeing, cycling and navigating through rugged terrain will be a 9 hour long endurance event pushing each team to their limits.

The reason for supporting the Believe and Achieve trust is because I (Roy Hughes) was friends with, a very friendly and popular lad called Alex Williams. The first thing I remember about Alex was how happy and upbeat he was with a great outlook on life, even though he had been seriously ill and was confined to a wheel chair due to his illness, but this didn't stop him from helping others through charitable work, including volunteering and raising awareness for meningitis which he was highly recognised for by the Greater Manchester community and beyond, with one high light being selected as one of the Olympic torch bearers. Tragically in 2012 Alex lost his life leaving behind his Mum Alison, Dad Wayne and Sister Abbie. Courageously his Mum Alison carried on Alex's dream of all people being equal and having the same opportunities in sport by setting up The Believe and Achieve Trust in Alex's memory.

Here are a few words from Alison,

In August 2012, Alex had a stroke as a direct result of the after-effects of meningitis and passed away. Our devastation made us realise the only way forward was to carry on his work, raising awareness of meningitis and support other young people like Alex whose lives have been affected by this disease or who were coping with challenges in
their lives.

The Believe and Achieve Trust was born in 2014 and, with Alex as our inspiration and your help, we continue to make a difference to people’s lives.

The Believe and Achieve Trust strives to improve the physical and mental health of children and young people in Manchester who are
facing challenges because of meningitis, disability or their personal
situation.

The charity provides direct support through support grants to children and young people to allow them to have access to specialist aids
and equipment, or take part in an activity of their choice – all with the aim of improving their quality of life. Our name reflects our goal of encouraging children and young people to believe that they can do something, and supporting them to achieve it!

In addition to enabling children and young people to “believe and achieve”, we also raise awareness of meningitis – a disease which
kills and maims in hours. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms and taking fast action if meningitis is suspected literally can mean the difference between life and death. In partnership with Meningitis Now, we distribute life-saving signs and symptoms cards and give talks at local schools and organisations.

Alex’s inspiration continues to drive us forward, but we can only achieve our goals with your help. We have to raise all the funds we need and whether you can help with time or money, you will be making a difference.

The Believe and Achieve Trust aims to increase the physical and mental health of those affected by meningitis and support sufferers wishing to succeed in sport. Along our journey we will also continue to raise the
awareness of meningitis and it symptoms.