Mission in memory of Taylor

GRIEVING parents, rocked by the death of their nine-month-old son to meningitis, have embarked on a fundraising mission to help eradicate the devastating disease.

Taylor Westley-Smith was struck down by the killer brain bug in March, dying within 15 hours of showing any sign of being ill.

Now his parents Mark and Jennifer Smith are involved in no less than seven events, hoping to raise thousands of pounds for Meningitis UK.

The charity funds life-saving research into finding a vaccine for Meningitis B - the strain which tragically took Taylor's life on March 15.

He had been happily watching football with his dad the previous day, with Mark trying to teach him the words to all the Liverpool songs.

Mark, telling of his family's heartbreak for the first time, said: "After the game we put him down for a nap. When he woke up he wasn't his normal self and didn't take his bottle, which was very rare as he was a hungry baby.

"We called NHS Direct who advised us to take him to the doctors, who told us he probably had some sort of gastro bug.

"Taylor had a high temperature and a very faint rash on his face but the doctor wasn't too concerned, saying it could have been a number of things - like teething or a heat rash."

Mark and Jennifer took him back to their Kesgrave home, keeping a close eye on him, ensuring he had plenty of water and Calpol.

At 2am on the Sunday morning they were woken up by his baby monitor. Because a few red spots had appeared on his face and neck, they suspected chicken pox - especially as Taylor had been in contact with a baby who had the illness a few days beforehand.

Mark, 30, added: "We called NHS Direct again who advised us to carry on what we were doing and that a doctor would be in touch within four hours.

"A doctor called at 5am. We explained the symptoms again only to be told chicken pox spots didn't come out until a week after being in contact with someone who had it.

"We rushed into his room to find out we were too late. Our beautiful little boy had already gone."

He says he still has flashbacks of carrying Taylor down the stairs and trying to revive him while they waited for the ambulance.

Unfortunately nothing could be done to save their only child, who died from meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

The dangerous form occurs when meningococcal bacteria enter the blood stream and multiply uncontrollably, poisoning the blood and completely overwhelming the immune system.

Mark and Jennifer, 29, hope their efforts in memory of Taylor will help prevent hundreds of lives being lost to the devastating disease in the future.

Over £3,200 has already been raised and friends and colleagues have rallied round to organise seven further events.

The first is a Caribbean night at the Cherry Tree Pub in Bromeswell on July 18, where the night will include a barbeque, rum punch, a steel band and various activities. The evening begins at 8pm and many people will be dressing up for the theme.

Carl Shemmings along with landlady Tracey Watling are also organising a 15-mile sponsored walk from Felixstowe back to the pub on July 24. A barbeque, raffle and entertainment await the walkers' return at 8pm.

A football match between Mark's employers Allport Ltd against Maersk takes place on August 9, when around 40 players will be competing for The Taylor Trophy.

The Taylor Cup 2009 takes place on September 13 at Ipswich Cricket Club, with teams playing in eight-over-a-side matches. This is being followed by a raffle and auction.

Jennifer's hoping to organise an abseil at Ipswich Hospital next summer and there are plans for a car rally across the UK in October, entitled The Taylor Run 2010.

Their neighbours' daughter Charli Boon, 14, is organising a dress down day at Kesgrave High School.

Jennifer said that the speed at which the disease took Taylor's life made them realise just how important it is to find a vaccine and protect future generations.

She said: "His death was such a shock. From thinking he had chicken pox to finding him dead within a matter of minutes is hard to come to terms with.

"Hopefully our efforts will take Meningitis UK one step closer to finding a vaccine. It really is such a devastating disease and we don't want Taylor's death to be in vain.

"If meningitis can be eradicated then, one day, people won't have to go through the heartache we've endure by losing Taylor."

All the money raised will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. It aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B - the most common form of meningitis in the UK. This accounts for almost 90 per cent of all cases, including the strain which killed Taylor.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Everyone's efforts in memory of Taylor are really remarkable. To organise such a variety of events is no mean feat and we hope everyone will support Mark and Jennifer.

"What happened to Taylor sadly illustrates the speed at which meningitis can strike, with very few symptoms to distinguish the disease from more common illnesses.

"The devastation experienced by his family reinforces the importance of finding a vaccine sooner rather than later.

"Every penny they raise will go towards this single focus and our ultimate goal to spare people the heartache of losing a loved one to meningitis."

To make a donation to the Forever Fund set up in Taylor's memory, visit www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Taylor Deakin Westley-Smith.

Or, for more information on the events, call Mark.

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