Sir, – Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) is marking its 25th anniversary in May with a 140km walk across the Pennines connecting two landmark buildings in the history of meningitis and septicaemia research.

The walk begins at Sheffield University on Friday, May 23, and we invite members of the public to join us on an eight-day challenge across the beautiful Peak District National Park.

We will finish on Friday, May 30, with a Research Discovery Day at the National Meningitis Reference Laboratories in Manchester where walkers will be given a guided tour around the MRF Genome Library project – a world first in medical research.

The walk is suitable for both experienced hikers looking for a challenge or families looking for a half term stroll.

Registration costs just £10 per person or £25 per family and we hope each person/family will raise a minimum £100 sponsorship. The money raised will enable us to continue vital medical research into the treatment, detection and prevention of meningitis and septicaemia for a further 25 years.

For further information or to register online, please visit www.meningitis.org/walk.

CHRISTOPHER HEAD Chief executive, Meningitis Research Foundation