A mum who lost her baby daughter to meningitis is trying to raise awareness of the disease in the hope that it will save other children’s lives.

Demi-Lee Percy had just celebrated Christmas and her first birthday when the terrible disease claimed her life.

Mum Mel Foster, 26, from Shepway, Maidstone, said her daughter had been under the weather but nothing that had raised huge alarm bells.

But her condition quickly deteriorated and she was taken to hospital. Despite desperate efforts to save her, Demi-Lee died.

Now Mel is passionately involved in fund raising for Meningitis UK. She has been selling wrist bands and pins, and is organising a sponsored walk around Maidstone for friends and family on Sunday, May 23.

She said: "I just want people to be aware. I want to get the message out there of what this disease is like."