MUMS of babies who have suffered from a life-threatening illness are supporting a campaign to raise awareness.

Meningitis Now is holding a Toddle Waddle and is encouraging other families, nurseries and toddler groups to sign up and hold their own event.

Toddle Waddle is a fun, short, sponsored walk for children, which aims to raise awareness and funds.

They can be held any time between June 4 and 10 which is National Waddle Week.

Colchester mum Natalie Wheatley knows the devastating effects of meningitis.

She gave birth to her second child Jack six years ago and he was left fighting for his life.

Mrs Wheatley, 35, a nurse specialist of Lanvalley Road, said: “He was always a poorly child. He was admitted to hospital at nine days old with sepsis.

“We took him to the walk-in centre in Colchester when he was 23-months-old. It was an ordinary Saturday morning, we had been to the zoo and to McDonald’s.

“He started getting a temperature and became lethargic so I dosed him up but he started getting even hotter.

“His temperature was 40 degrees and I couldn’t get it down.”

At the walk-in centre, Jack became completely unresponsive and started developing a rash across his body.

By this point Natalie had grown concerned and asked if he could be seen straight away.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

A GP gave him an injection in his leg and he had to be blue-lighted the short distance to Colchester General Hospital.

Natalie added: “That was when I realised it was serious. Everyone was jumping on him when he got to hospital.

“As a nurse who works at the hospital I knew how these things work.”

He was taken to the children’s unit and was put on an IV drip, and was given antibiotics.

Thankfully, after a couple of days he started to become more responsive.

Natalie said: “That was the pivotal moment. If we had got there a bit later the story would have been very different.

“He came home on the Tuesday night as he bounced back very quickly thanks to the staff at the walk-in centre, they saved his life.”

Even at six-years-old, Jack is experiencing after-effects.

Natalie said: “He still finds it hard to cope with loud noises. When he was younger hand dryers or going to the cinema were a problem.

“He can cope better now but still struggles with the noise, especially if he’s listening to a live band.”

However, Jack, who goes to Lexden Primary School, is doing well in his education and is a cheeky sibling to older sister Chloe, eight.

He lives at home with his sister and mum, and dad Chris.

The family is encouraging parents to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis.

Natalie said: “There are people who think it will never happen to them and I was always one of them. Many people do not know the symptoms but it’s always good to follow your instincts.”

For more information on meningitis and the work of Meningitis Now or to donate visit www.meningitisnow.org