University welcomes awareness-raising meningitis B run

A runner who undertook a 100-mile challenge between two football stadiums to raise awareness of meningitis B has completed his trip.

Shaun McEntee set out on the charity fundraising run after the death of a family friend from the illness in January.

Aaron Mills, 18, fell ill while on a Christmas visit home to Kidderminster while studying at university in Liverpool.

His father, Anthony, told the Meningitis Now charity how Aaron had had flu-like symptoms which had seemed mild at first.

He added: “On the morning of December 30 he had a headache, took paracetamol and went back to bed.

“30 minutes later, he was moaning in his room. I went in and he was in distress and unresponsive.

“Paramedics arrived quickly, treated him for meningitis straight away and rushed Aaron to Worcester hospital.

“He was transferred to Coventry hospital to relieve pressure on the brain, but his brain had already swollen too much.

“Aaron had officially died on January 3, but I think he had already passed days before.”

Following Aaron’s death, Anthony has worked to raise awareness of meningitis B and its impact.

He added: “What’s alarming about all of this is that we thought Aaron was fully vaccinated against meningitis. Aaron had meningitis B which, we later found out, his vaccinations didn’t cover.

“Only when we researched and found the information on Meningitis Now, did we find out that this is not an isolated case and that there is a campaign to get the vaccine for Men B to those at risk and, in particular, first-year university students.

“Aaron didn’t show typical meningitis symptoms that we have been guided to look for. On the Meningitis Now’s ‘meningitis in students webpage’, it says: ‘The temptation might be to think they have fresher’s flu but it could be meningitis.’

“I can only wish that I knew that sooner.

“As Aaron’s story has had a massive impact on our community, many fundraising events have happened and are being planned to raise funds for Meningitis Now, in the hope that this information can get to people that need to know.”

A huge Liverpool FC fan, Aaron had chosen to study in the city because of the team – and had also been a Kidderminster Harriers season ticket holder.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shaun Mcentee (@shaunmcentee)

In tribute, Shaun chose to run between the team’s Aggborough Stadium to Anfield in Liverpool, calling in at universities along the way to help raise awareness.

His route took him past Harper Adams University, where Shaun, his fundraising team. and Anthony met with both the Students’ Union and the University’s Head of Student Services Jo da Silva.

Shaun said: “It’s been tough at times – there was a lot of pain in my knee at one point halfway in, which was the first time I had to dig in to be honest.

“I really pushed myself to get through it, but as soon as they told me the building in the distance was Harper Adams, I couldn’t wait to get there!

“My main, massive message to Harper students is, please, just get the vaccine.

"I think a lot of people think they are protected because they have had the Meningitis ACWY vaccine – it is a different thing to Men B.

“Do your research, look into it, and get the vaccine.”

Jo – who was making final preparations to welcome first-year students to Harper Adams when the run called in at the University – added: “Aaron’s story touched us all in the Student Services team and we were glad to be able to help host Shaun and his support team on-site.

“Anthony and I had a long conversation, where I explained the work we’ve already done to raise awareness of meningitis B in our first-year students, and he gave us leaflets and posters which were used over the weekend as part of our Welcome Week events for new students.

“We were delighted to see Shaun go on to complete his run on Sunday – and will keep raising awareness among our students and prospective students in the months ahead.”

Anyone who wants to make a donation to Shaun or to find out more about Aaron, his life and legacy, can do so by visiting: linktr.ee/aaronlovemillslegacy