Couple's 'miracle boy' dies after meningitis shock

Sheffield Wednesday fans are invited to take part in a round of applause on Friday in memory of Owls supporter Jaxon Knowles

The parents of a "miracle boy" who died suddenly from a rare form of meningitis have said they are working to raise awareness of the disease.

Four-year-old Jaxon Knowles died in Rotherham Hospital on 17 February from a bacterial form of meningitis called meningococcal disease.

Mum Sammy and dad Jordan, who went through seven years of IVF before welcoming Jaxon, now want to help other families.

Mrs Knowles said: "We now have a massive void. The house is empty but if we can help just one family now, that is something."

Jordan and Sammy Knowles "almost gave up" having children after seven years of IVF and three miscarriages before their son Jaxon was born

The family were returning from a weekend in Blackpool when Jaxon complained of "tummy ache" and a "sore arm".

According to Mrs Knowles, he wanted to have "snuggle time".

"He had a bit of a high temperature so I gave him Calpol and made sure he had lots to drink," she said.

"I thought he might have another chest infection brewing."

At around 05:00 the next morning, Jaxon had developed a "worrying rash" under his arm which Mrs Knowles said looked like "burst veins".

Mr Knowles said: "He threw up and his mouth started swelling up."

They dialled 999, and the call handler asked the parents to lay Jaxon on the floor and count his breaths.

"They told me the nearest defibrillator was at Rotherham Retail Park and asked if I could get to it quickly, but it was 20 minutes away," said Mr Knowles.

An ambulance took Jaxon and his parents to Rotherham Hospital, where Mrs Knowles said it was clear things were "deadly serious".

She said: "There were 15 doctors around him.

"I sang lullabies to keep him calm whilst they were putting drips in him.

"The rash had ravished his body. It was all purple.

"There was blood coming from his eyes."

Although doctors managed to restart Jaxon's heart once, he died on the Monday morning.

Sammy Knowles said her son Jaxon "dominated" their lives

The couple said they "can't bear" to move their "lovely little boy's" belongings in the house.

"His stuff is everywhere. We don't even know what to put on the telly. He dominated that," said Mr Knowles.

"I had three miscarriages before we had Jaxon," said Mrs Knowles.

"He was my miracle baby boy. We had almost given up.

"We'd wanted him for so long we never thought we could do enough for him.

"Every birthday was over the top - petting zoos, circus rides - we went to Lapland at Christmas."

Jaxon's parents have set up a fundraising page, with proceeds going to the charity Meningitis Now

According to the charity Meningitis Now, meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium neisseria meningitidis.

Up to 10% of cases will result in death. Although it can strike at any age, babies and young children are most at risk.

Mr and Mrs Knowles have set up the Jaxon Knowles Forever Fund, "dedicated to the memory of little Jax".

Money raised through the fund will go to Meningitis Now.

"We know there was no vaccination that Jax could take, perhaps with more funding and more research things can change in the future," said Mr Knowles.

Sheffield Wednesday are planning a tribute to Owls fan Jaxon on the big screen in their next home game against Sunderland on Friday.

Supporters will be invited to take part in a round of applause in the fourth minute.

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