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Fun run event in memory of Samantha

13.08.10 

SAMANTHA Grinham's death at the age of just 18, five days before Christmas, left her family devastated.

But they are determined the tragedy will not be in vain, and are campaigning to raise money for scientific research into a vaccine which could have saved Samantha's life.

Mum Melanie Wheatland, of Gorse Road, Shirley, remembers the day in December 2008 that her daughter, who was training to work in a nursery, fell ill like it was yesterday.

She said: "Samantha said she felt a bit ill and her brother Harry had a virus before, so she just thought it was that.

"By lunchtime she felt better and was even chatting to her friend on the phone.

"But by the evening she felt ill again and had vomited. I started panicking."

Melanie, 48, contacted NHS Direct and was told to see if her daughter had a rash or an aversion to light - signs of meningitis. Samantha only had a small rash on her leg - which soon vanished - and the family were told she just had a winter bug.

But just two hours later she had become delirious and was rushed to the Princess Royal Hospital.

She was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, and within five days was brain dead.

Melanie said: "We were told she wouldn't make it. The next days were just a blur, it was completely unreal. It just all happened so fast."

Almost two years on and the pain has not got any easier.

Melanie, who has two other children, said: "Sam was just starting out in life and blossoming into a beautiful young woman.

"It is still hard to think of any memories of her as happy - because it is all so raw.

"This should never have happened, it is not the way life should be.

"I still think to myself 'how can this be happening?' - it's like I am waiting for someone to wake me up."

Along with her daughter Nicola, 22, and son Harry, 16, Melanie is fundraising for scientific research into a vaccine which could prevent others from dying from Samantha's strain of meningitis.

Melanie will be taking part in the five kilometre Crystal Palace Fun Run on September 5 to raise money for Meningitis UK - the leading research charity into the virus.

She said: "No one should ever have to go through what we went through.

"I am determined Samantha will not be forgotten and this fundraising will be her legacy to the world."