(Photo: Susan Roe – Dublin Rose of Tralee supports Meningitis Research Foundation in their exciting new challenge. Join their boot camp and become GI Jane 2010)

Dublin Rose of Tralee joins Meningitis Bootcamp

Susan Roe is helping to launch the ultimate ladies-only fundraising event for Meningitis Research Foundation - the GI Jane 2010 Challenge.

Ladies will be kitted out in army attire and put through their paces by members of the Army Recruitment Team!  All females will start the day with a warm-up drill before completing five activity zones including zip line, climbing wall, treasure hunt, Jacobs Ladder, archery, spiders web and much more! 

Fundraising Officer, Monika said: “All recruits will be scored throughout each zone and be in with the chance of being crowned GI Jane 2010! We hope you’ll join us for this exciting challenge!”

The event will take place in Kippure Estate, Wicklow on Saturday, 2 October 2010.  Meningitis Research Foundation is on the lookout for 150 female recruits to join their team in this local sponsored event. 

To join us in this event please contact the Dublin Office on 01 819 69 31 or email info@meningitis-ireland.org

Register now to join meningitis boot camp!  Spaces limited.

Contact: Monika Marchlewicz (Fundraising Officer) on 01 819 69 31

Notes to Editor:

·     Meningitis Research Foundation estimates there are 200-300 cases of meningitis and septicaemia every year in Ireland.

·     Meningitis and septicaemia kill more children in Ireland than any other infectious disease. 

·     Information on meningitis and septicaemia is also available on the Foundation’s world-renowned website – www.meningitis.org - in 22 languages. An interpretation service is available in 150 languages through the 24hour helpline.

·     Meningitis Research Foundation currently funds 26 research projects. Since it was founded in 1989, the charity has awarded 133 research grants, leading to many advances in the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia.

Symptoms of meningitis:

Severe headache; Stiff neck*; Dislike of bright lights*; Fever/vomiting; Drowsy and less responsive/vacant; Rash; Seizures (fits) may also be seen.  (*unusual in young children)

Symptoms of septicaemia:     

(This form of the illness often starts with non-specific flu-like symptoms):

Rash; fever/vomiting; cold hands and feet/shivering; limb/joint/muscle pain; abdominal pain (sometimes with diarrhoea); pale or mottled skin; rapid or unusual breathing, drowsy and less responsive/vacant.

Other symptoms in babies include: tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot); blotchy skin, getting paler or turning blue; refusing to feed; irritable when picked up, with a high pitched or moaning cry; a stiff body with jerky movements or else floppy and lifeless.