THE pictures of Louise and John Done cradling their eight month-old son Harry dying from meningitis are absolutely heartbreaking.

No-one could fail to be moved by them. The Bolton couple decided to share them publicly through the charity Meningitis Now because they wanted more people, especially parents, to be aware of the condition.

Harry died two years ago. Just the day before his death, the lovable little boy who was “always smiling and giggling” suddenly became unwell. Although medical staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital and then Manchester Children’s Hospital did their very best, Harry died from bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

It’s hard to imagine his parents’ devastation but they’ve made a brave decision to use his death to try to help others. In the absence of meningitis vaccines, parents and carers need to be vigilant. They need to know the signs and symptoms, and act on them swiftly.