Buildings across Scotland and around the world will be illuminated on 5th October to mark World Meningitis Day, raising awareness and remembering those whose lives have been affected by this deadly and debilitating disease.
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.
One of those affected is Scottish actor Jimmy Yuill from Golspie, best known his role as Detective Inspector Doug Kersey in Wycliffe. In 1998, Jimmy contracted meningitis – an experience that changed his life.
Last year, for World Meningitis Day, Jimmy shared his story with Meningitis Research Foundation as part of Meningitis in your words – a digital collection of personal meningitis experiences. By sharing what happened to him, Jimmy is helping others understand the sudden and devastating impact of the disease, as well as the long-term challenges survivors can face.
Jimmy said, “I was away filming when meningitis struck in 1998. It came on suddenly and violently, and while I was fortunate to survive, a young woman admitted to hospital at the same time didn’t make it home. I quickly realised life would never be quite the same.
“Seeing Ness Bridge and other landmarks illuminated for World Meningitis Day is incredibly moving – it’s a powerful way to remember those affected by the disease and raise awareness.”
On World Meningitis Day, Ness Bridge will be among the landmarks lit to raise awareness and honour all those, like Jimmy, whose lives have been affected by meningitis.
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 aims to raise life-saving awareness of the disease, remember those affected, and call 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. The aim is to remember those who have lost their lives or whose lives have been changed forever by meningitis, while also showing hope for the future by supporting the WHO’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 Ness Bridge, Glasgow Science Centre and Edinburgh’s Balmoral Clock Tower in Scotland will be illuminated in honour of 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. By lighting Ness Bridge and other landmarks across Scotland and the world, we hope to shine a light on the urgent need for awareness, early diagnosis and support for those affected by meningitis.”
To find out more about World Meningitis Day and how you can take action, visit worldmeningitisday.org.
To read Jimmy’s Meningitis in your words entry, visit: www.meningitis.org/meningitis-in-your-words/jimmy-yuill