Our supporters joined a dedicated carriage on the 0959 service from Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington, calling at Stroud where our head office is based. On board, they shared their meningitis experiences with other supporters and highlighted the importance of World Meningitis Day in fighting back against the deadly disease.
Called on supporters
The partnership is part of global World Meningitis Day on Saturday 5 October, which aims to raise awareness of meningitis, encourage those affected to tell their stories and light the way ahead to defeat meningitis.
At stations along the line, including Gloucester, Stonehouse, Stroud, Kemble, Swindon, Didcot Parkway, and Reading, volunteers collected donations while raising awareness of meningitis and its symptoms, and explained the support available from Meningitis Now, as we work towards a future where no-one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need.
We also called on supporters and partners to sign a special ‘pledge board’, designed in the style of an enormous train ticket, pledging to help Meningitis Now ‘light the tracks ahead’ and join the global initiative to reduce cases of the disease.
The special train arrived at London Paddington just before midday to be greeted by charity supporters and Meningitis Now president, TV and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon.
World Meningitis Day
On Saturday 5 October, World Meningitis Day itself, GWR and Network Rail will be lighting up Paddington Station at 2030 in our corporate orange colour to help raise further awareness, as part of the worldwide movement to defeat meningitis.
GWR Customer Services Director Rachel Geliamassi said;
“Keeping our communities safe is at the heart of what we do at GWR, and that commitment extends beyond trains and stations. We are proud to support Meningitis Now – our Stroud-based neighbours – with the Light the Tracks Ahead campaign, to help save lives by raising awareness of this life-changing disease. Seeing campaigners and GWR colleagues working together across our network to raise money for those affected, is the perfect way to start this partnership.”
Meningitis Now’s chief executive Tom Nutt shared;
“We hope people around the UK will join us in lighting the way ahead this World Meningitis Day and remember those whose lives have been devastated by this disease, whilst also showing their hope for a future where meningitis has been defeated.
“We’re really grateful to GWR for their support in helping us raise such valuable awareness and engaging and educating passengers, staff and the public in this way for World Meningitis Day - particularly to GWR and Network Rail for their grand gesture in lighting up Paddington Station, which promises to be spectacular.
“Meningitis is a devastating disease which can strike quickly, but with support like this we are confident we will beat it.
“Wherever you are, join the millions of people worldwide by lighting your own candle, lantern or fairy lights and share it on social media on 5 October at 8.30pm, using #WorldMeningitisDay or #DefeatMeningitis.”
Thank you to GWR, all our volunteers and supporters for helping us ‘light the track ahead’ to a future no-one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need.
