A COUNTY-BASED charity has launched a countywide project to spread the word about the risk of meningitis to ethnic minorities.
The Meningitis Trust, which has its headquarters in Stroud, is hoping to educate those who might not be aware of the heightened risk of catching the disease which faces many ethnic communities. At an event in Gloucester over the weekend, members of the Barton and Tredworth community were told religious pilgrimage was one of the most common ways of picking up a strain of the disease. The fun day, held at Widden Primary School, saw a bouncy castle, abseiling, archery, a display by the fire service and a strongman show. Refreshments, including a barbecue, were also put on. Gloucester MP Parmjit Dhanda said he was happy to lend his support to the event. The Meningitis Trust’s senior communications officer Harriet Penning said: “The event is part of a wider project, in which we are trying to embrace different cultures.
“With religious pilgrimages like the Hajj, there is a risk those taking part might not have the right vaccine. These events are about educating people to be better prepared. We try to work with them to help them understand the need for vaccination.”