Long Road Sixth Form students take on 242-mile challenge for charity Meningitis Now

Sport diploma students at Long Road Sixth Form College set a 242-mile challenge to raise money and awareness of meningitis in memory of Adam Tolfree.

Heather Rae, Connor Rose, Charlotte Gillies, and Sophie Pedder, who are studying for a level 3 sport diploma, asked students and staff to help them run, cycle and row to Amsterdam from the comfort of the college’s fitness suite.

The fundraiser was held yesterday (Tuesday 7) in memory of Adam, from Bassingbourn, who died in January after contracting meningitis.

The students wanted to commemorate Adam’s life as well as raise awareness of the disease, the importance of being vaccinated, and to raise funds for charity Meningitis Now!

Former Bassingbourn Village College student Sophie, 17, said: “I knew Adam all the way through primary and secondary school and then at Long Road, we were always in the same friendship group.

“It was horribly sudden – he fell ill on a Friday night and died the following evening. We wanted to continue helping Adam’s family by raising as much money as possible and to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination, and of recognising the symptoms.”

Charlotte, 17, a former student at Netherhall School, added: “We wanted to find a way to bring some comfort to Adam’s family by continuing the fight against meningitis.

“We don’t want other families to suffer in the same way.”

The event ran from 9am until 3pm, and more than 100 students were expected to take part. There was also a stall with information leaflets about meningitis.

“As I went around the college with my collection bucket I was amazed to learn how many staff and students had been affected by the disease,” said 17-year-old Heather.

“One teacher had meningitis as a child, and a lot of students knew people who had contracted the disease and, in some cases, sadly passed away,” she added.

Former Comberton Village College student Connor, 17, said the event was very important to them.

He said: “We are at the age which really needs the vaccination. I have had the Meningitis ACWY vaccination and I would really like to encourage everyone to go to their surgery to find out about it.”

Visit justgiving.com/remember/415589/Adam-Tolfree to donate.