KEY POINTS:
A charity that successfully fought for public funding for two vaccines against potentially fatal childhood illnesses is shutting its doors.
The Meningitis Trust closes its national office on December 21 after nearly six years.
General manager Fiona Colbert said although public donations had been generous over the years, the trust had failed to get larger sums from corporate sponsors or the Government.
Since opening in April 2002, the trust has fought for the introduction of the meningococcal B vaccine and helped to secure a Government pledge to introduce the pneumococcal vaccine prevenar for all babies born after January 1 next year.
Its helpline has taken thousands of calls and it has supported families directly through counselling and financial grants for teacher aides and mobility assistance.
"With the introduction of vaccines and the limited recognition of the after-effects of meningitis and the need for support, it has been getting increasingly difficult to raise the funds we need to continue," said Ms Colbert.
She has spent the past few days speaking to supporters about the decision to close.
"It's been an emotional few days, or weeks. It's been a tough year."
Ms Colbert said financial grants for next year, mainly for teacher aides, would be honoured, as would face-to-face counselling sessions.
The trust's 24-hour freephone helpline would continue too.