WITH New Year upon us, we wish to thank everyone in Cheshire who has supported Meningitis Now in 2013.

With some 6,600 people across the county living with the impact of meningitis and a further 119 cases each year it is only through people’s kind help that we can fight the dreaded disease on all fronts – funding preventative research, raising awareness and supporting survivors and their families. We’re amazed by everyone’s generosity and dedication, especially considering the economic climate.

However, you may’ve seen some tragic, high-profile cases in the media recently and cases peak during winter.

These stories sadly show that we need to keep developing new and improved vaccines for all strains of meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

Meningitis Now, formed after Meningitis UK and Meningitis Trust merged earlier this year, needs to raise £10,000 a day to keep saving lives and rebuilding futures.

Meningitis can strike anyone, of any age, at any time.

It kills more under-fives than any other infectious disease in the UK, and survivors can suffer life-changing after-effects.

To donate, for a free symptoms information pack or more information, call us on 0808 80 10 388 or visit MeningitisNow.org.

Sue Davies Chief executive Meningitis No