SI Ballymoney & District were delighted that Mr Carl Monteith, the Northern Ireland Co-ordinator for Meningitis UK was able to speak to us about his work. Carl explained how he had become so passionate about the cause. It was not as a result of any direct personal tradgedy of his own, but because of the suffering he witnessed in friends. Over the years of his involvement he has met many amazing characters, all with their own story, all with their own reason to fight for a vaccine.
Good progress is being made, with a vaccine entering Phase 2 trails, and it is hoped that a vaccine to eradicate the disease will be available within the next 10 years. Continued progress does depend on funding and all contributions are gratefully recieved.
In October SI Ballymoney and District raise £650 for menigitis UK and members were delighted to hear of the work the money was going toward.
Carl and his colleagues are currently preparing for the Spring Walk 2008. The project is entitled ‘Bordering on a Vaccine – Walk-4-Meningitis’. The walk starts in Londonderry and ends in Newry and will take place between Saturday 24th May and Sunday 1st June.