Buildings across the British Isles and around the world will be illuminated on the 5th October to mark World Meningitis Day, to spread awareness and remember those whose lives have been affected by this deadly and debilitating disease.
This is the first year that buildings on the island will light up for the day. It also holds special significance as it will honour the memory of Lucas Martin, a much-loved 21-year-old from Douglas, who tragically died from bacterial meningitis in September 2023.
Lucas, known as “Looky” to family and friends, was described by his dad Brett as “a force of nature”. He had recently graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in International Business Studies.
Every year, there are around 2.3 million cases of meningitis globally. It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time – taking a healthy life in just 24 hours.
Lucas’ Dad, Brett, is keen to help prevent other families from going through a similar experience. He is helping to raise awareness by sharing his family’s story with Meningitis Research Foundation as part of Meningitis in your words, a digital collection of stories, which is set to become the world’s largest collection of personal meningitis experiences.
Brett said, “After Lucas passed away, life as we knew it ended. He didn’t have the symptoms people often expect, like a rash – just tiredness and a headache.
“I hope that by sharing his story it might help someone else spot the signs of meningitis earlier and get urgent help – that’s why we must keep talking about it, no matter how painful it is.
“Seeing buildings light up across the Isle of Man on World Meningitis Day in his honour means so much to us as a family. It shows that Lucas’ legacy is helping to protect others.”
Raising awareness is one of the key aspects of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 and World Meningitis Day is a crucial opportunity to advocate for change to save lives.
Founded by the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) and co-ordinated by Meningitis Research Foundation, World Meningitis Day is the world’s largest day of collective action on meningitis. Taking place on 5th October 2025, it raises life-saving awareness of the disease, remembers those affected and calls for action from governments and health leaders worldwide.
To mark the day, Meningitis Research Foundation is asking people to help create a global chain of light around the world. The aim is to remember those who have lost their lives or had their lives changed forever because of meningitis, while welcoming hope for the future by showing support for the World Health Organization’s Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030. Anyone can help to "light the road ahead" with a gesture, such as lighting a candle or decorating with fairy lights, and sharing it on social media at the symbolic time of 20:30 (8:30 PM) using the hashtags #WorldMeningitisDay and #DefeatMeningitis.
As part of this, landmarks including The Tower of Refuge, Ramsey Swing Bridge, Douglas City Hall and Douglas city centre on the Isle of Man will be illuminated to remember Lucas and all those affected by meningitis. Other key landmarks around the world will also light up, including more than 20 across the UK.
Vinny Smith, Chief Executive of Meningitis Research Foundation, said, “Meningitis doesn’t just take lives — it changes the lives of those who survive and everyone around them. It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time — but together, through awareness, vaccines and research, we can defeat meningitis and save lives.
“On World Meningitis Day, we come together to take action and to remember Lucas and all those whose lives have been touched by this devastating disease. By lighting up the Isle of Man, the community is both honouring Lucas’s memory and shining a light on the urgent need for change — joining people across the globe in a powerful call to action for a future free from meningitis.”
To find out more about World Meningitis Day and how you can take action, visit worldmeningitisday.org.
To read Brett’s Meningitis in our words entry, visit: www.meningitis.org/meningitis-in-your-words