A STROUD-BASED charity has teamed up with Great Western Railway ahead of World Meningitis Day.

Together they are ‘lighting the tracks ahead’ – to a future where nobody in the UK dies of meningitis and all those affected get the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Meningitis Now supporters joined a dedicated carriage on the 09.59am service from Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington, calling at Stroud where the charity is based.

On board they shared their meningitis experiences with other supporters of the charity and highlighted the importance of World Meningitis Day in fighting back against the deadly 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. 

(Image: Great Western Railway)

On World Meningitis Day itself, GWR and Network Rail will be lighting up Paddington Station at 20.30pm in the charity’s corporate orange colour to help raise further awareness, as part of the worldwide movement to defeat meningitis.

The partnership is part of global World Meningitis Day on Saturday, October 5,  which aims to raise awareness of meningitis, encourage those affected to tell their stories and light the way ahead to defeat meningitis.

The charity called on supporters and its 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.

They also collected donations for the charity as it works towards a future where no-one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need.

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, said: “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 their passengers, staff and the public in this way for World Meningitis Day.

"And 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.”