About the Organising Team

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Gaynor has been a Business Ambassador for Meningitis Now since 2023, after her older son Ross was critically ill with bacterial meningitis and sepsis at the age of 18 during his first year at university. Ross spent 5 days on life support and 10 days in ICU in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, before making enough of a recovery to come home. He is still dealing with the after effects of his illness. Gaynor credits Meningitis Now with playing a key role in Ross’ survival, as she had learnt about the early warning signs of the disease years earlier, through the charity, when Ross and his brother were babies. Gaynor fundraises for Meningitis Now and gives talks in local schools and universities to raise awareness of the symptoms and of vaccine availability. She also uses her business networks in Scotland to help build new corporate relationships for the charity.

Read more about Gaynor here

Margaret has been involved as a volunteer with the charity since losing her nephew to bacterial meningitis in October 2007, becoming a Community Ambassador in 2014. Calum was 12 years old when he passed away, and since then Margaret has been focused on and involved in raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of Meningitis through bucket collections and giving presentations at various events, schools, universities and community groups. It is also important for her to raise the profile of the charity in Scotland and highlight the support offered to families affected by this cruel disease.  

Margaret said "Being an Ambassador for the charity is a great honour, and to be part of an organisation that shares my values, beliefs and hopes for the future, ‘where no one loses their life to meningitis, and those who have been affected are fully supported for the rest of their lives’, is an empowering and important message to get out into the community. To add to this, I have made so many friends for life through the charity. I can definitely say that I am proud to be part of the ‘Meningitis Now family’."

Read more about Margaret and her fundraising here

Laura has supported Meningitis Now since losing her husband to the illness in 2016. Laura was struck by the sheer number of surprise reactions at a grown adult succumbing to meningitis, and vowed to try to raise awareness. 

Laura, her son, now 11, and many family and friends, have taken part in lots of fundraising events and activities over the past 10 years, raising in excess of £25,000 for Meningitis Now so far. Read more about Laura's story here

Fundraising lead & engagement expert with many years experience in all aspects of fundraising strategy, income generation, event management & supporter engagement. 

Formerly Senior Fundraising Manager at Quarriers, a Scottish social care charity. 

We are very lucky to have Rowan's assistance, as she has over 30 years of experience in fundraising, working with corporate and community donors, creating fun and engaging events, and developing lasting relationships.

Rowan co-founded the Woman of Influence Award Lunch for Action for Children, which has raised several £ million for disadvantaged children and young people in Scotland and I continue to support the charity.

Rowan says "I am passionate about helping people and am

delighted to help Gaynor, Laura & Margaret organise the inaugural Scottish Gala Dinner in aid of Meningitis Now."