A TEENAGER from Dursley has given up some of her summer holidays to help the charity that has supported her family through difficult times.

Alicia Stephenson, 17, recently spent the day volunteering at the Meningitis Trust in Stroud as part of the charity’s Takeover Day.

Alicia is one of 12 Young Ambassadors at the charity that was chosen to take over the running of the organisation.

The former Rednock student said: "It’s great to be able to play such a valuable role in the running of the Trust.

"My experience of meningitis means I’m really keen to be involved and make sure the Trust is providing the best support it can for my age group.

"The Takeover Day has been brilliant fun, but it also has a serious purpose and it’s good to work together and help shape the Trust’s future."

Alicia and her family have been involved with the Meningitis Trust for 12 years after her younger sister Lydia contracted meningococcal septicaemia in 2000 at the age of two.

Lydia pulled through the illness but spent two weeks in Intensive Care and a long time in hospital afterwards recovering from the disease.

Despite fighting the meningitis the toddler lost the top of three fingers on her left hand, has large scars on the back of both legs and hands, the growth in one arm has been stunted, making them noticeably different lengths and at the time she had to learn to walk and eat again.

Alicia said it was thanks to the Meningitis Trust’s symptoms card that her family were able to identify the meningitis and get Lydia to hospital.

This is the first time the charity has allowed its Young Ambassadors, also a new initiative, to take over and help shape its approach to support, volunteering, disease awareness and fundraising for this age group.

The Young Ambassador’s aims include improving the Trust’s reach to teenagers, ensuring the Trust is providing for them, and encouraging young people to raise funds.

For more information about the Young Ambassadors visit www.meningitis-trust.org/ about-us/meet-the-team/young-ambassadors/