What we do
Our Vision and Mission
Meningitis Research Foundation's vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia.
The charity funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. The Foundation promotes education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and gives support to people affected.
The Foundation's Charitable Objects
- To promote research into the causes and treatment of all forms of meningitis and associated infections
- To promote the dissemination of knowledge gained by such research
- To advance the education of the public in the causes, treatment and prevention of meningitis and associated infections
- To help relieve the distress to individuals and families caused by death and damage through meningitis and associated infections
The need for the Foundation
Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours. People who recover may be left with permanent disabilities or a range of after effects that dramatically alter their lives. Disabilities include brain damage, sensory disabilities, amputations and a range of non-specific after-effects, permanent and temporary.
Meningitis and septicaemia can, however, often be successfully treated if identified in time.
Our work
Meningitis Research Foundation currently funds 18 research projects with current and future research grant commitments of £1.1 million/€1.49 million.
Since it was founded in 1989, the charity has awarded 118 research grants, leading to many advances in the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia.
The total value of the Foundation's investment in vital scientific research is nearly £13 million/€17.55 million.
The Foundation runs dynamic and effective awareness programmes for both the general public and health professionals, which reflect best current understanding of meningitis and septicaemia. The charity has distributed millions of life-saving symptoms cards, leaflets and posters to the general public and health professionals free of charge.
The Freefone 24 hour helpline, run by trained helpline staff and nurses, is widely quoted by the media in articles about meningitis and recommended by public health doctors, giving concerned members of the public access to information and support whatever the time of the day or night. The helpline takes thousands of calls each year from the public and health and education professionals dealing with the diseases.
The charity has a membership base of over 6000 member families whose personal experience of these diseases informs all aspects of Meningitis Research Foundation's work.
The Foundation offers befriending to its members. Many of our members are skilled in befriending others, and they are supported by the charity's befriender training programme.
Members contribute to research projects directly, such as the Genetic Susceptibility Study, and a project on the physical, educational and social outcomes of pneumococcal meningitis, providing researchers with direct access to a valuable database.
Members also work with the charity on awareness and fundraising work.
Ethical Policy
The ethical policy of the board relating to investments and the acceptance of donations is that Meningitis Research Foundation will comply with all current UK & Republic of Ireland legislation both in letter and in spirit and will conform to the current Charity Commission guidance, the Institute of Fundraising code of conduct and the Donors' Rights Charter.
The charity is entirely independent and asserts the right to hold its own views, even though such views may conflict with the views of a donor. The Foundation reserves the right to criticise the actions of a corporate donor and/or business partner, if the charity believes the company is not acting in the best interests of those sections of the public that the charity serves.
The Charity will not consider a joint venture or commercial relationship with any organisation or company whose core business is deemed to be in conflict with our own.
In addition, the Foundation will make every effort not to knowingly solicit or accept donations from, or enter into investments with companies, organisations, or individuals acting on their behalf, who are:
- Primary and/or secondary producers, and/or solely distributors and/or solely retailers of tobacco;
- Wholly and exclusively engaged in the trading of arms;
- Engaged in testing on animals where there is no medical or health care priority;
- In direct contradiction of the Foundation's equal opportunities policy.
Page last updated 08.04.08