The team encompasses hundreds of people throughout Scotland, and beyond, who raise vital funds for Meningitis Now as well as priceless and lifesaving awareness of meningitis. Over many years, they have completed a breathtaking array of fitness-focused activities and endeavours. In doing so, they keep alive the memory of founder Alan and Ruth Glynn’s young daughter Alexis Rose who died from meningitis in 2011.
Alan explained, “Our goal as a team is to raise awareness of meningitis and septicaemia. We do this by bringing people together through exercise, challenges and initiatives and we take part in numerous events. We have been going for over 13 years, in memory of Alexis Rose.”
During this time, team members have undertaken a charity row-athon, the Superteams challenge, the virtual John O’Groats to Land’s End challenge and 19 x 5k walks or runs a month throughout 2022.
Their latest exploits have seen the team running past in the Stirling 10k, following a scenic route past canal and loch in The Great Glen Way Trek, and running the largest half-marathon in the world, the Great North Run.
This year Team Alexis Rose will also be taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, the London Marathon and many more incredible fundraising activities.
In genuine awe
Meningitis Now Chief Executive, Dr Tom Nutt, said: “We are in genuine awe of the boundless energy shown by Alan, Ruth, and all of Team Alexis Rose. They do incredible work spreading awareness of meningitis across Scotland, and further field, as well as raising important funds to fight meningitis. They always seem to have great fun too.
We have always worked closely with Alan and the team and they are an integral part of the Meningitis Now family. We are proud and grateful to work in partnership with Team Alexis Rose. Our message today is one of thanks to Alan, Ruth and all of the team.”
In celebrating this close partnership, Alan reflected on why it is important to keep the memory of Alexis Rose alive and the keep up the fight against meningitis. “Alexis Rose, our beautiful baby daughter, was 19 months old when she died very suddenly of meningitis.
She had bags of personality and was by nature a fighter – born nearly three months early and weighing 2lb 12 ounces, she spent a while in hospital alongside her twin sister Christina, but quickly grew in strength.
Always laughing
“She was always laughing and making us laugh. We will never forget her toothy smile and the way she would look over to make sure people were watching before she did something naughty.
“She was so happy and healthy and we never dreamed that anything could ever take her away from us, but meningitis ended her life within hours.
“We’re more determined than ever to continue Alexis’s fight and we refuse to let meningitis beat us. We’ll continue to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease and funds for Meningitis Now to fight back against it.
“It’s all about trying to make people aware and educate them and we will do this as much as we can.”
You can support Team Alexis Rose’s incredible fundraising by donating to their Forever Fund page here.
And you can find out more about fundraising events and how you can fundraise for us on our website.
