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Hope on anniversary of toddler's death

15.03.10 

ONE year ago today an Ipswich  couple faced the utter devastation of losing their only child from a brain infection.

Taylor Westley-Smith was just nine months old when he was struck down with meningitis septicaemia and tragically died within just a few hours.

But today, as they face the first anniversary of their baby son's death - the day after a poignant Mother's Day - Mark and Jenny Smith are trying to look ahead as they are expecting their second child in May.

The couple, who have already raised more than £12,000 for Meningitis UK, are also vowing to boost the fund by another £10,000 in order to find a vaccine for the deadly disease.

Mrs Smith, 30, said the couple had always planned to try for another baby when Taylor was about a year old and so they decided to stick to their original plan.

She said: "We both wanted children and could not imagine life without children.

"We are excited but very nervous. We have experienced every possible feeling - highs and lows."

Recalling the horrifying hours before Taylor died, she said they immediately knew something was wrong when he showed no interest in his bottle and was acting out of sorts.

At 2am on March 15 last year, they were woken by Taylor's baby monitor, he had a few red spots but suspecting he had chicken pox they were unaware of the vicious disease ravaging Taylor's body.

They phoned NHS Direct and around three hours later a doctor called back.

He told them it couldn't be chicken pox as that illness only appears around a week after being in contact with someone who had it. They rushed into Taylor's room but it was too late.

Mrs Smith added: "We know now we put him back to bed as he was dying.

"His temperature was coming down,

but we know that instead of that meaning he was getting better, it was his body giving up on him."

The couple are now preparing for their new arrival with mixed emotions.

Mr Smith, 31, said they are trying to stay positive. "We are trying not to think to much about problems with the new baby," he said.

"We have been getting really excited about he or she arriving but then it hits you."