Later this year in September, twenty year old Dan Callaghan, a former St John’s student now studying at Loughborough University, will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation.
The Meningitis Research Foundation funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, as well as carrying out research to improve survival rates and outcomes. In addition, they promote education and awareness of these diseases among the most affected social groups, of which students are the second highest ‘at risk ‘group. Currently, these diseases are contracted by ten people in the UK every day. One of these ten will die whilst four others will suffer life altering disabilities as a result.
In addition to fundraising efforts through bucket collections in nearby towns and contributions from local figures, Dan has set up an on-line auction that commenced on 1 March and will run until the end of this month through the ‘auction of promises’ web site. The auction includes a range of locally donated products and vouchers including a family photo shoot at Imagine studios, facial massage session, a beautiful necklace from David Dudley and High Tea at Polly Tea Rooms as well as other items including signed goalkeeping gloves courtesy of Wes Foderingham and Tyrell Belford of Swindon Town FC plus a brand new camera donated by Fujifilm.
“When the opportunity arose to raise funds for such an amazing charity and have the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro, it was something that was impossible to turn down” Callaghan told Marlborough News Online. “I really appreciate the donations of all the companies that have contributed to the auction and hope that it continues to remain successful in the coming weeks. Every £1 makes such a huge difference to this charity and I have learnt what a horrendous condition Meningitis can be and why so much vital work still needs to be done” he added.
Click here to visit the auction page and Click here to make a donation to Dan in his fundraising efforts via Just Giving.
Kilimanjaro pic by Muhammad Mahdi Karim
Running hockey players hand over half-marathon proceeds to SWIFT Medics
