Meningitis campaign for mum to try and help others

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Alison Goude ensures that the scented diffusers in her daughter Livia’s bedroom are always fresh, even though the room has remained empty for years. Livia, who tragically passed away at the age of 19 after contracting meningococcal type B meningitis, left behind a lingering presence that her mother still feels every day. Prior to her sudden death in 2022, Livia had complained about flu-like symptoms, assuming she had just overexerted herself after returning from a music festival in Manchester.

“When Livia mentioned a headache, she did say it was the worst headache she had ever had,” Alison recalls. Despite these warning signs, she never imagined it could be something as serious as meningitis, a condition that led to her daughter’s untimely passing. Livia was known to be vibrant and full of life, enjoying outings with friends and pursuing her passion for dance.

Alison wishes she had been more aware of the symptoms of meningitis while Livia was still alive, believing it could have altered the outcome. Since her daughter’s passing, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness about this deadly disease, especially among young individuals. Friends and family have collectively raised over £28,000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation in Livia’s honor, organizing various fundraising events to support the cause.

Claire Wright, a senior insights manager at the Meningitis Research Foundation, highlighted the heightened risk of meningococcal disease among individuals aged 15 to 24 due to their social interactions and close living quarters. While the MenB vaccine is currently only available for children, efforts are being made to continuously review and assess the vaccine program’s effectiveness. Dr. Andrew Lee, the regional deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency in Yorkshire and the Humber, expressed condolences to Livia Wilson’s family and emphasized the seriousness of the disease

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