Lorraine and Barry Young

Meningococcal campaigners

2013 WA Senior Australian of the Year

Lorraine and Barry Young have dedicated the past 15 years raising awareness of, and finding an effective treatment for, the deadly meningococcal septicaemia bacteria. Tragically, in 1997 the disease took the life of their only child, 18 year old Amanda, just 24 hours after she started showing symptoms of the disease. In 1998 the Amanda Young Foundation was established essentially to create Australia-wide community education programs about meningococcal disease and fund medical research into the development of vaccines to target the elusive meningococcal B. In 2012, the Foundation reached over 20,000 families through an education campaign in more than 300 child care centres in WA. Fundraising by Lorraine and Barry and dozens of volunteers allows the Foundation to support survivors of the disease and their carers’ in the most practical ways.  Funding is provided for special computer and bedding equipment, for education, specialist counselling and advanced prosthetic limbs. In addition, the Foundation helps to fund the development of young people into Western Australia’s future leaders through scholarships, bursaries, workshops and camps.