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A family who lost their one-year-old daughter to meningitis and septicaemia have reached a fundraising milestone for charity.
Louise Whiteman and Tony Ford, both 31, of Dartford, have collected £100,000 in memory of their child, Maya Ford, who died in August 2012.
All the money has gone to the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).
The girl was taken into Darent Valley Hospital A&E on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 with convulsions, a rash, high temperature and fast heart rate. She died the next day.
In September 2015, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust admitted failing to examine Maya adequately and failing to admit her for observation and tests.
Maya’s grandmother, Dawn Whiteman, 53, said: “Our family were left heartbroken after Maya died.
“She was my world, my life, my everything and she was taken from us in just 16 hours.
“We need all parents and health professionals to be on high alert to meningitis and septicaemia because there is no time to waste when a child is ill with this disease.
“If just one life can be saved thanks to our fundraising and awareness raising then it helps us live with our loss.
“We wanted to make something good come of something so bad.
“We’re thrilled to have passed the £100,000 mark.
“We are continuing to raise money for MRF whose support team has helped us immensely ever since Maya passed away.
“Hopefully we can put an end to this disease so other families don’t have to endure the same pain we have gone through.”
Rob Dawson, head of support at MRF, said: “Maya’s story is a tragic example of what happens when meningitis and septicaemia are not recognised and treated quickly enough.
“Meningitis and septicaemia are deadly diseases that can strike without warning.
“We’re extremely grateful to Dawn and her family, and everyone who has donated in memory of Maya.”
