A York couple whose son died of meningitis are determined to help prevent other parents suffering the same tragedy.

Carole and Ian Eshelby are launching a fundraising drive for the Meningitis Research Foundation in memory of their 20-month old son Kenny.

And Liverpool Football Club have ensured the campaign will get off to a super start by letting the couple hold a major collection at Anfield before a Premiership match against Derby County on Saturday, November 6.

Ian, a lifelong Liverpool fan, of Dringhouses, said Kenny - who died in February of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia - was named partly after former Liverpool star and manager Kenny Dalglish.

And he said the club had already been incredibly supportive of the family, even mentioning Kenny in a Tannoy announcement before the final home game of last season. Carole said she wanted to raise money to help pay for research into the terrible disease but also to raise awareness, so that people falling ill received treatment as quickly as possible.

Meningitis warning signs to look out for, not necessarily in this order, include severe headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, fever and vomiting, drowsiness and rash, while septicaemia symptoms can also include cold hands and feet and rapid breathing. The foundation runs a 24-hour helpline which can be contacted on 0808 8003344

"Hopefully a vaccination can eventually be produced to prevent anyone ever suffering this again," said Carole.

"What happened to Kenny was every parents' worst nightmare. I wouldn't want anyone else ever to go through what we did - and yet, as things stand, it will happen again," she said.

She said Kenny had been ill one night in February but she had been given no indication anything was serious until just after 4am, when tiny pin-prick spots started appearing all over his body.

He was rushed to hospital by ambulance, but septicaemia had set in very rapidly and he died five days later, despite receiving excellent treatment at hospital first in York and then Leeds.

Carole said family and friends planned to go over to Liverpool to stage the collection, supported by 50 students from Loughborough University.

Now she and Ian are appealing for York businesses to support their collection day in two ways. They need:

Sponsorship for about 60 T-shirts for the collectors to wear, complete with the foundation's name and the message "In loving memory of Kenny", and a picture of the toddler.

Help from a minibus firm in getting family and friends over to Anfield for the day.

Carole said that anyone able to assist should contact foundation spokeswoman Sarah Murray on 01454 281811.

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