A MUM who lost her daughter to meningitis has issued a stark warning to other parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against the disease.

The Meningococcal ACWY vaccine is currently free on the NHS for all 17 and 18-year-olds, and to new university entrants.

But the national uptake for the vaccination as part of the GP based catch-up programme is below 40 per cent.

Julia Styles, who lives in near Malmesbury, lost her eldest daughter Emily, aged 19, to the disease on New Year’s Day in 2014.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

At the time, Julia was living in Buckingham with her husband Pete and her two daughters Emily and Sophie.

Emily had plans of being a special needs teacher, and was preparing to go to Winchester University. She had passed her driving test, had her own car, was saving up for university and was at home working as a teaching assistant.

A day before New Year’s Eve in 2013, Emily started feeling unwell while at her boyfriend’s house.

The next day she collapsed when she tried to get out to bed and was rushed to hospital, where she later died on New Year’s Day.

Julia said: “We were on the phone to the doctor, who told us that Emily had collapsed, but we didn’t know what it meant.

“We thought that we would be taking her to the doctor.

“I spoke to Emily the night before and she told me she was feeling unwell, that she wanted to stay, and that said she would be fine.

“Meningitis did its worst while she slept.

“It’s like your worst nightmare."

Since Emily passed away, Julia has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness for the disease, urging people to get vaccinated.

“Emily planned to spend her life helping people, she loved helping people," Julia continued.

“That’s why I am doing what I am doing now, its Emily’s legacy.

“Before, I only thought it affected babies, and those who had a history of illnesses or had something wrong with them, I didn’t know it could affect young adults or elders.

“When Emily died, there were no vaccines at all, but there is now.

“I would urge parents and young people to find out as much as they can about Meningitis, to learn about the signs and symptoms, and to find out about the vaccinations that are available, don’t wait until it’s too late.

“Meningitis B took Emily’s life in around six hours, she had no rash at all.

“I wish someone was sitting with me giving me this advice now, because that could have saved my daughter’s life.”

Symptoms can appear in any order, and some may not appear at all.

Early symptoms can include a fever, headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet.

Public Health England data shows there were more than 200 cases of meningitis W last year – a considerable increase on the 22 instances reported in 2009.

But despite the jump, statistics show more than 400,000 school leavers in England did not get vaccinated in 2017.

Julia set up a fundraising page in Tribute to Emily raising money for Meningitis Now.

Since then, Julia has helped raise more than £30,000 for the charity, smashing her original target of £7,214.

Meningitis Now helps support families who have been impacted by the disease, and aims to raises awareness.

Its Search for a Vaccine campaign has supported the development and introduction of five lifesaving vaccines against forms of meningitis and meningococcal disease.

Julia added: “They place themselves so they are there when you need them, we all grieve differently.”

If you would like to donate to The Emily Charlotte Styles Forever Fund, go to bit.ly/2y9eR2b.

For more information on Meningitis Now, and to learn more about what they do, visit bit.ly/1YbvX6r.