Students Against Meningitis

We work with students across the UK to raise thousands of pounds for MRF’s life-saving work every year, and have been awarded ‘Charity of the Year’ at the National Raise and Give Conference in both 2014 and 2017 for our Student Programme.

We have worked with students for over 20 years and run student challenges for eight, so it’s safe to say that we know our stuff when it comes to student fundraising!

Find out how you can get involved by taking on the challenge of a lifetime, taking part in a raid, or partnering with us as a Charity of the Year.

MRF works with students to not only raise vital funds towards our goal of creating a world free from meningitis, but to raise awareness of this deadly disease. You'll see us at Fresher’s Fairs throughout the country.

"If you are a student then meningitis matters to you."

1/10 people who get bacterial meningitis will die

2/10 people who get bacterial meningitis are left with an impairment like brain injury

Why we work with students

Students are at the second biggest at-risk group of contracting meningitis, after babies and toddlers.

Students are at greater risk because the bacteria that causes life-threatening meningitis lives in:

1 in 10 of the general population
1 in 4 students

You need to know the symptoms of this deadly disease, and about the life-saving vaccines that are available to you.

Causes of meningitis and septicaemia

What causes meningitis?

Find out more

The symptoms of meningitis

Meningitis and septicaemia can kill in hours - know the symptoms.

Symptoms checker

Men W vaccine

Meningococcal Group W (MenW) is a particularly virulent strain of bacterial meningitis which is on the rise in the UK and Ireland.

Teenagers and young adults have a higher risk of contracting MenW than other age groups.

A special free vaccine programme against MenW is currently being delivered.

Find out more

Sophie's story

Sophie Royce was a 21 year old student when she contacted MenW meningitis and septicaemia.

What happened next changed her life forever.

Your MRF Student Team

The Student Team is made up of three full-time members of staff, all of whom fundraised as students and have experience of the events that we offer.

“Working with MRF is a pleasure because it’s so easy. The student team is so well run that we know our participants are in great hands, MRF really are leading the way in student fundraising.” - Grace Thomson, Warwick RAG President

Amelia Ireland

Hi, I’m Amelia!

I joined Meningitis Research Foundation in 2019 as an Events Fundraiser, working with our partner Universities and RAGs to promote our charity challenges, and supporting our fantastic student fundraisers across the country.

RAG Challenges have been a fundamental part of my university experience, from trekking to Machu Picchu to being a Challenge Leader, leading teams to take on the Three Peaks and summit Kilimanjaro in aid of MRF. Having experienced firsthand the invaluable help and guidance from the student team, I’m excited to be supporting our next cohort of wonderful student supporters!

Tel 0333 405 6242

Email me

Hattie Smail

Hi I’m Hattie,

I am super excited to be a full time member of the MRF Student Team and to be part of some incredible projects! Working in student fundraising is very exciting and offers so much variety.

My role ranges from organising student fundraising activities such as the student raffle and street collections to communicating with students on a regular basis to ensure they reach their fundraising goals. It is extremely rewarding supporting students reach their targets and seeing how dedicated they are to such an amazing cause.

Tel: 0333 405 6246

Email me

Konna Beeson

Hi I’m Konna, and I’m part of the Student Team!

After spontaneously signing up to be a Kilimanjaro Leader at Plymouth University, I instantly fell in love with RAG, MRF and the wider student adventures community. Since then, I have helped raise thousands for MRF and been volunteering at events, adventures, our infamous London Loot and training days to help as many students discover the amazing experiences I was lucky enough to find.

I am now here as a full time member of staff looking after multiple universities and challenges across the UK and world.

Tel: 0333 405 6239

Email me

Luke Hardcastle

Hi I’m Luke and I’m one of the event fundraisers at MRF!

I started my journey with MRF when I signed up to take on the Three Peaks challenge in my first year of university. I continued supporting MRF during my time as a student through roles as Vice-President and Challenges Officer with Warwick RAG and collecting at London Loot each year.

Having experienced the amazing support and impact offered by the student team during that time it’s fantastic to be able continue to support the amazing work by all our fantastic student fundraisers!

Tel: 0333 405 6248