Hi, my name is Tara Collins, I am a returning first year student in UL and in August 2025 me and group of students from UL will be climbing to the peak of Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, in aid of raising funds and awareness for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

We are at the heart of the initiative that is working with the World Health Organisation and leading experts on the disease to tackle meningitis globally. Our intrepid volunteers are taking on this incredible challenge and raising money to help us defeat meningitis and septicaemia by 2030.

Meningitis is the swelling of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, caused mainly by germs entering the body.

Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs that can cause meningitis.

These diseases are life threatening and can kill in a matter of hours, and those who survive these diseases lives are altered forever.

This disease affects everyone, but young children are the most vulnerable to this. Teenagers and young adults are also at an high risk after babies and toddlers.

My fundraising goal is €5820. A euro for each metre on the mountain. Any donations big or small are appreciated and will make a great impact to MRF, who are working to eradicate this deadly disease by 2030.

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Tara❤️