A father who lost a child to meningitis has been presented with a £2,000 cheque to help fight the illness.

Ben Williams’ son Harry died of the disease in February 2015.

Now Mr Williams, of Moon Hill, Shepherdswell, has been handed the cheque for Meningitis Now by Dover mayor Neil Rix.

The charity funds research and supports families and sufferers.

Mr Williams said: “Meningitis can destroy lives so quickly.

“We want to remember Harry in the best way possible and for there to be a cure for this terrible illness.”

Previous fundraising events have been organised for Meningitis Now in Harry’s memory such as a football match in Shepherdswell last year.

Cllr Rix has run a number of events for the charity and the latest was a tour of the South Foreland Lighthouse and the Fan Bay tunnels which is where Cllr Rix presented the cheque to Mr Williams.