THE devastated parents of a baby boy who lost his life to meningitis have spoken about their grief since his sudden death.

Baby Jayden Conway died aged eight months, within hours of becoming ill. He had slipped into unconsciousness within 10 minutes of giggling with his family and died the same day of meningococcal septicaemia, a bacterial strain of meningitis.

Now his parents Daniel Conway and Rachael Pollard, of New Bury in Farnworth, want to prevent others going through the heartache they have suffered.

Mr Conway, aged 23, said: “It is just shocking how quickly it takes over the body in just a few hours and there is nothing you can do.”

Miss Pollard, also aged 23, added: “I could not believe how quickly it happened.

“The symptoms were the same as a tummy upset, and by the time the rash appeared it was too late.”

She said the smiley youngster appeared to have a bit of a stomach upset the night before he died, and she gave him Calpol and boiled water.

The following morning he appeared to be well and was giggling with the family — but within 10 minutes things dramatically changed.

Miss Pollard said: “I went upstairs to bath our other children Kelsey, aged five, and Leona, aged three, and he looked well. I had no idea he would die that day.

“But Daniel shouted me about 10 minutes later and Jayden was restless and going in and out of consciousness.

“He had three tiny purple pin pricks under his vest.

“The colour had drained in his face and as Daniel was on the phone to the ambulance I was screaming.

He was dying in my arms.”

Minutes later, at about noon, Jayden was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital and was diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia, a bacterial strain of meningitis.

Doctors prepared his parents for the worst and specialists from the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital were called to the hospital.

Jayden was stabilised to be transferred to the specialist unit at 7pm but died on the way to the hospital.

The couple, who live in Ramsay Avenue, New Bury, said that while he was at the hospital he developed purple spots all over his body and no longer looked like himself.

Jayden died on August 26, and now the family have decided to to raise money and awareness of the deadly disease by setting up a tribute fund through The Meningitis Trust.

They have spoken about their ordeal in a bid to help others.

Miss Pollard added: “If we can help just one person by making people aware of the disease he won’t have died in vain.

“He had such a big personality, he was always smiling and had a girly giggle.

He was such a good boy, the best. People often said they wanted to take him home because he was so good. He was our special little darling and we will never let him be forgotten.”

The family are hoping to raise £5,000 for The Meningitis Trust, and people can light a candle for £10 by visiting the trust’s website, meningitis-trust.tribute funds.com, and searching for Jayden Conway.

A charity event is being held at Dixon Green Labour Club, Mossfield Road, Farnworth, on Saturday, November 20, from 1pm to late.

It will include singers, a raffle and auction and bingo. Tickets cost £5 and are available from Miss Pollard on 07835164195.