The parents of a baby girl who died after contracting meningitis have backed an online petition calling for a better vaccination programme.

Nick and Ruth Bate have been campaigning for the meningitis vaccine to be made more readily available ever since their 15-month-old daughter died from the killer bug three years ago.

Willow Bate was a seemingly healthy, lively little girl, adored by her mum and dad and big brother Zak.

But she died just hours after the couple noticed the tell-tale blotchy rash on her chest at the family home in Gillingham.

Devastated by their loss, the Bates set up a fund to raise money for the UK’s leading meningitis charity which pays for research to develop medication.

They were among the first to sign a 6,000-strong petition calling for the meningitis B vaccine to be made available to all children at least up to the age of 11.

The online campaign was launched after parents from Maidstone released a picture
of their two-year-old daughter who succumbed to the meningitis B infection.

The photograph of Faye Burdett, published in our sister paper the Kent Messenger, touched the nation’s hearts.

The petition has made Downing Street history by becoming the most signed and there are calls for the government to review its childhood vaccination policy.

In September 2015 a milestone was reached as the vaccine was introduced on the NHS to all new-born babies in the UK.

Mrs Bate, 34, now heavily pregnant and husband Nick, 39, a firefighter based at Strood, have welcomed the issue being brought back into the spotlight.

Mrs Bate, of Burnt Oak Terrace, Gillingham, said: “After our daughter’s death, we have tried to block it out of our minds as much as possible.

“Nothing will bring her back, but hearing about that little girl has brought back memories.

“It’s important that it is back in the news. It is about time that people sat up and listened.”

The couple’s baby, a daughter and sister to Zak, six, is expected at the beginning of next month.

The government’s petition website states any petition signed more than 100,000 times will be considered for debate in parliament.