A MOTHER who lost her baby to meningitis has released heartbreaking images of his final moments.

Parents Louise and John Done’s world was torn apart when eight-month-old Harry died after contracting the illness.

The photographs have been issued through charity Meningitis Now to raise awareness of the condition.

The couple, who live in Bolton, say they want to do everything they can to ensure that other families do not suffer such pain.

Last year they organised a charity ball in honour of Harry and Ellie Mai O’Gorman, another Bolton baby who lost her battle with the same disease at just seven weeks old.

Speaking to The Bolton News last year, Mrs Done described her devastation following Harry’s death on February 20 in 2015.

She said: “Harry was eight months and three weeks old when he passed away. John and I had planned to have Harry and then get married. Harry was a very happy little boy – always smiling and giggling. He was loved very much by all of us, he was the missing piece of our family and brought us all together as one, he was our happy ending.”

She explained that the day before he died, her son suddenly became unwell.

She said: “He began to be sick and whingey. He had previously had a cold and been off for a couple of weeks, and I thought it must have been a bug going round.”

In the evening, Harry’s condition deteriorated rapidly and he was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where the parents were told their son was gravely ill.

He was then taken to Manchester Children’s Hospital where doctors diagnosed bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

Mrs Done said: “Harry was unrecognisable. He had doubled in size due to the fluid being pumped into him.

“His hands, fingers, feet and legs were black — I remember trying to kiss him and his lips were black and stiff because of the blood poisoning. This disease had consumed our son.”

A scan revealed the devastating news that Harry was severely brain damaged and at 8.25pm on Friday February 20 the Dones had to make the hardest decision of their lives and turn off Harry’s life support machine.

Mrs Done said: “We are still coming to terms with the loss of our beautiful son. This past year has been a like a living nightmare. We have been trying to live a normal life the best we can but in reality it feels like we are living in a parallel world.”

Louise and John were booked to get married a few months after Harry’s death and while they felt at times like putting it off, they went ahead and made their baby son a big part of their special day.

Mrs Done has two children, Charlie, and Isabella, from another relationship, while husband John, also has children Shelby and Kade.

The family have been supported by the Meningitis Now charity.

Rachel Robinson, acting chief executive, said: “Harry’s death turned his family’s life upside down and we’d like to commend Louise for her bravery in sharing their experience and helping to raise awareness of this devastating disease.

“In the absence of vaccines for all forms of meningitis, it is crucial that parents and carers take responsibility for their children’s health and make sure they know the signs and symptoms of meningitis.

“It is also important that they trust their instincts if they are concerned that their child may have meningitis and are confident in challenging an initial diagnosis. Parents know instinctively when their child has more than a cold or flu, which are commonplace at this time of the year.”

Anyone worried about meningitis or wanting to find out more can visit the website at www.MeningitisNow.org or phone the Meningitis Now helpline on 0808 80 10 388.