Coleg Gwent team walks 10 miles to keep Meg’s memory alive and help protect students
By Charities Correspondent
A Coleg Gwent team has taken on a 10-mile challenge in the Brecon Beacons to raise awareness of meningitis and encourage young people heading to university to check whether they can receive the MenB vaccine.
Nearly 40 family members, friends and Coleg Gwent colleagues took part in the Brecon Beacons Horseshoe on Saturday, September 5, raising more than £5,000 for Meningitis Now.
The challenge was organised in memory of Megan Draper, who died from MenB in 2025 aged 18, just weeks after starting her physiotherapy degree at Bournemouth University.
Meg’s mum, Helen Draper, who works at Coleg Gwent, completed the walk with her husband Lee and the rest of the team.
Helen said the challenge was a way to remember her daughter while helping other young people and their families learn more about MenB.
“This walk is so important to us. It's a chance to remember our amazing daughter, but also to continue raising awareness of MenB,” she said.
“If sharing Meg's story encourages more young people and their families to understand the risks, recognise the importance of vaccination and know what to look out for, then continuing to tell her story is incredibly important to us.”
The fundraising comes as thousands of young people prepare to leave home for university, when mixing with new people and living in close quarters can increase the risk of meningococcal disease.
A new, time-limited MenB vaccination programme offer for teenagers and young adults is currently being rolled out across Wales.
More than 17,000 young people have already come forward for their first vaccination, according to the Welsh Government, with eligible young people being encouraged to return for their second dose.
The free vaccine is available to those born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, as well as eligible under-25s entering higher education or residential further education for the first time this autumn.
Coleg Gwent is encouraging students heading to university to check whether they are eligible and, if so, arrange their vaccination before leaving home.
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Katy Cook from Coleg Gwent said:
“It’s been incredible to see that support grow to nearly 40 colleagues, friends and family all taking part in Meg’s memory.
“We encourage every student heading off to university this autumn to check whether they’re eligible for the MenB vaccination and, if they are, arrange it before leaving home. It’s a simple step that could help protect them as they begin this next chapter.”
The team’s fundraising is continuing in aid of Meningitis Now.
To support the team's fundraising challenge in aid of Meningitis Now, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/coleg-gwent#timeline-section-marker
