Local Alexis Rose Tribute fundraiser Alan Glyn, launched his Miles for Meningitis initiative at Bell’s Sports Centre (on Thursday 5th February) in a bid to heighten awareness of the disease. Running from February 5th 2015 to February 5th 2016, Alan is encouraging people from all walks of life and all ages to set themselves a goal that will help increase their general fitness and raise awareness at the same time.

Live Active Leisure is supporting Alan’s #MilesForMeningitis throughout their venues, on their website and social media and will be encouraging their members, customers and staff to participate. They have also agreed to sponsor certificates for all participants at the end of the year’s initiative including the design, print and delivery.

From February 5th, Alan would like you to record your Miles for Meningitis and record and tag your efforts on their facebook page. No big sponsor sheets, just you helping your friends to see the page and understand the symptoms of this disease.
Alan explained, "I chose the date particularly because February 5th is when my daughter, Alexis, passed away from meningitis in 2011. I started my fundraising and running soon after, and since that date my life and that of my whole family's has changed. It is always a sad day, but it also signifies new beginnings.
The start of the year is when most people select a fitness goal for the year ahead and it would be great if they could incorporate raising awareness of Meningitis into this.
Meningitis is something which happens so suddenly and can affect people of all different ages. It can knock your plans sideways, especially if you don't recognise the signs and symptoms. If we can keep a focus on Meningitis throughout the year, we increase the number of people aware of it and the symptoms, which in turn will save lives."

The aim is to record how many miles you have covered for Meningitis, at any point of the year. It could be running, walking, cycling or anything else that accumulates miles. So, a family walk on Sunday, a stroll up a hill or 10 minutes on a treadmill or rowing machine. Cyclists in a group, Tough Mudders and everyone running a race. It is easy to join in and get involved.
Here's what to do:
1. Take a photo of yourself completing your miles
2. Post this onto the #MilesForMeningitis Facebook page with the number of miles and how you did it e.g #26milesformeningitis and a photo of you finishing a marathon.
3. Tag yourself so your friends all see it
It is not necessary to get sponsorship to take part in this. Simply by getting people talking about what you are doing and why, you will be raising essential awareness of Meningitis.

Once you know how many miles you have covered during the year you can request a unique medal and certificate showing the number of miles you have clocked up. Running IMP International are supplying the medals and Live Active Leisure are supplying the certificates.
Karen Taylor, Marketing Manager at Live Active Leisure commented, “We are delighted to be in a position to support Alan’s amazing campaign. We have all been impressed with his fundraising over the past few years and to be able to help in this valuable awareness raising campaign is a privilege. Look out in our venues for guidance on posting your #MilesForMeningitis.”

Click onto the Facebook page to start recording miles: www.facebook.com/Miles-For-Meningitis