ACT for Meningitis is a very personal charity created in the wake of tragedy. In 2008 Siobhan and Noel Carroll lost their precious four year old daughter Aoibhe to meningitis, and in 2011 they established ACT for Meningitis.

 

 

The Galway-based charity’s aim is twofold, and simple to define even if it’s not simple to achieve - raising awareness about meningitis countrywide and supporting those who have been affected by it.

 

 

“We are a small charity with massive plans,” CEO Siobhan Carroll says. “I know how meningitis can change a life and we will work to the best of our ability and beyond to prevent another family going through this nightmare.

 

 

“Knowing the signs and symptoms of meningitis can save a life. If we can reach people with this awareness it may just prevent another family going through the heartache we have gone through.”

 

 

As a new charity, Siobhan says ACT for Meningitis has perhaps four main obstacles: no loyal donors (yet), no government funding, no real presence in the charity sector and higher costs than larger charities.

 

 

However at the top of the ACT for Meningitis wish list is getting the know-how to create a successful awareness campaign.

 

 

“Our major challenge, which we have been discussing for a long time, is to put together a national campaign,” Siobhan explains. “There is just so much confusion regarding the signs and symptoms of meningitis. Knowing the correct signs of meningitis can literally save a life.”

 

 

Hackers will probably be delighted to learn that ACT for Meningitis is the relative high roller of all charities taking part in Charity Hack, with a budget of “roughly €1,000”.

 

“We need a unique and fresh idea,” Siobhan says. “We need to get the correct message out there. We need people to sit up and listen and walk away saying ‘God, I never knew that’. We need to reach the mothers, fathers, students, creche owners...”

 

With no background in the charity sector, Siobhan wants to wring all the knowledge she can from hackers. “We have been brainstorming in the office and trying to come up with an idea for a national campaign, and we felt that some outside advice and guidance was what we needed to get it off the ground,” she says.

 

 

“I would like to brainstorm, get to know what works for other charities and groups, get new ideas and most definitely be able to walk away from the day feeling that nothing is impossible and that ACT for Meningitis can get a national campaign working for us.”

 

I’m sure flattery doesn’t work as motivation for hackers, but just in case, here’s the pitch you should remember before meeting ACT for Meningitis members: “We are always willing to learn. This concept of a Charity Hack is superb. Joining forces with the best in the business, to learn from them and to work with them, is a chance we could not miss out on.”

 

 

ACT for Meningitis

www.actformeningitis.ie

www.facebook.com/ACTforMeningitis

@ACT4Meningitis