Balloon race to mark tragic Jaden's birthday

22.06.10

OVER 500 balloons are being released in memory of Eckington baby Jaden Green, who tragically died from meningitis at just 10 days old.

The balloon race and fun day at the Rose and Crown pub on Saturday, June 26, will mark what would have been the youngster's third birthday.

It will be a poignant day for his mum Rebecca Hinchliff, who hopes the day will not only raise vital funds for Meningitis UK but also raise awareness of the deadly disease.

Jaden was born perfectly healthy but, at just a week old, he stopped feeding and Rebecca and her partner Allan Green rushed him to the emergency doctor.

She said: "He told us Jaden was constipated and that we should give him some orange juice. But we sat up with him all night because he didn't want to be put down, which was unusual for him.

"We took him to the doctors' surgery the next morning and were sent straight to Sheffield Royal. In the car on the way there Jaden's eyes started rolling back in his head and he developed a really high temperature.

"They did a blood test and a lumber puncture but he stopped breathing while we were waiting for the results. It had all happened so quickly and no one knew what was wrong with him at this point."

The tests confirmed Jaden had a group B streptococcal infection which caused meningitis.

Group B streptococcus, also known as GBS, is the most common cause of severe infection in newborn babies in the UK.

Jaden was transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital, where an MRI scan revealed he was completely brain damaged.

Rebecca, 23, added: "We were told that there wasn't much chance of him pulling through and, even if he did, he would have no quality of life.

"So we had to make the decision to switch off all the machines. It was heartbreaking.

"When we did some research we discovered that GBS kills around 75 babies each year. It's passed on from the mother to the baby at birth, so whilst it's harmless to me it was deadly for Jaden unfortunately."

Rebecca and Allan have gone on to have another baby, 20-month-old Athan, who will be at the fun day. Rebecca Hinchliff and Sarah Brentnall

In addition to the balloon race there will be a live band, face painting and games to raise money for Meningitis UK and its vaccine research work.

Rebecca said: "I'm really looking forward to the day but will probably be upset as it would have been Jaden's third birthday. The most important thing is to do something positive in his memory and help to protect other babies from this dreadful disease in the future."

Money will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign to raise £7million to help fund cutting-edge research to help find a vaccine to eradicate all forms of meningitis.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Rebecca and Sarah's efforts are greatly appreciated and we hope everyone will enjoy what should be a great day.

"Sadly Jaden's death illustrates the speed at which meningitis can strike, with very few symptoms to distinguish the disease from more common illnesses.

"Every penny raised will go towards our single focus - to find a vaccine to eradicate meningitis and save thousands of lives in the future."

For more information about meningitis or to support the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, please call 0117 373 73 73 or visit www.meningitisuk.org.