A FORMER children’s Poet Laureate has given his support to a Thornbury-based charity in memory of his son.

Children’s author and poet Michael Rosen has fronted a national appeal for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

Appearing on BBC Radio 4 last weekend, Michael urged members of the public to support the vital research into accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment for children in Africa.

Michael became a patron of MRF after his 18-year-old son Eddie died of meningitis septicaemia in 1999. Eddie went to bed one evening feeling unwell and with a temperature, but was found dead the next morning.

Michael said: "Meningitis is every parents’ worst nightmare. Symptoms often go unrecognised or appear too late and a healthy baby, child or adult can lose their life in a matter of hours.

"It can happen to anyone. It happened to my family, which is why I am supporting this appeal." MRF is fighting meningitis and septicaemia by funding vital research to end the diseases, both in the UK and Africa. The charity’s research helps improve early recognition and prompt treatment, and is helping to save lives.

The charity has said a £5 donation would pay for a lab test for one baby to confirm meningitis, £10 would pay for a course of new life-saving drugs and £25 would pay for two hours of a research project.

For information on the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, call the Freefone 24 hour helpline on 080 8800 3344, visit www.meningitis.org or download the free app from i-tunes meningitis bug blaster.