Hi, I’m Tania, a student at the University of Limerick. This August, I’m taking on one of the biggest challenges of my life, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

This cause is deeply personal to me because I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact meningitis can have. It’s a disease that can strike without warning, one day someone is healthy and full of life, and the next, they’re gone. It’s not just the sudden loss that’s heartbreaking, it’s the aftermath. I’ve witnessed the pain and grief families are left to carry, trying to piece their lives back together after losing a loved one so suddenly. The shock, the unanswered questions, and the overwhelming sense of “what if” never truly go away.

Meningitis doesn’t discriminate, and it can affect anyone, but people our age, are the second most at risk. That’s why I’m determined to raise awareness and funds to support MRF’s vital work. They fund life-saving research, push for better healthcare policies, and provide support for families affected by this terrible disease.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is no small feat, it’s 5,895 meters of tough terrain, high altitudes, and both physical and mental challenges. But every step I take is for those who didn’t get the chance to take another, and for the families left behind.