A MOTHER has spoken of the heartbreak of losing her 14-month-old son to meningitis.

Chantal Kingswood, 39, and her partner Adam de Silver, 34, were thrilled when Reggie was born on January 21, 2017.

He was a happy and healthy child.

But he died on March 13 last year after developing pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia following a bout of influenza.

Chantal, who lives in St Andrew’s Road, Portslade, said Reggie was unwell but they had not noticed any signs of meningitis until they took him to hospital, where he developed a rash.

She said: “We were later told that developing a rash is one of the last signs of this disease.”

She said baby Reggie became ill on Mother’s Day last year. She said: “Reggie threw up, which was not normal for him. We decided to call an out-of-hours doctor for an appointment.

“We were told he just got a viral infection but we had to keep an eye on him.

“Reggie slept on me all the following day. He had been very sleepy before and he had a viral infection before so we were not nervous.

“As we got ready for bed, his breathing changed and he had chesty coughs. We called the ambulance and they came within minutes.”

Chantal was frozen with fear while waiting for the ambulance.

Reggie was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton where doctors fought desperately to save him.

Chantal, a cleaner, said: “They gave Reggie CPR. We were told that even if he survived he would be disabled.

“After the doctor gave Reggie CPR the fourth time, he called us into the room. He took our hands and put them on Reggie’s hand.

“The nurse said he had died. It happened so quickly because 24 hours earlier he was fine.

“The pain is constant and there are days when it’s just unbearable.

“It’s taken a long time not to feel guilty about it, even though we know no one is to blame.

“Reggie was vaccinated but vaccinations don’t offer a 100 per cent guarantee you will be immune for ever.”

The couple are campaigning to raise awareness about meningitis and to encourage people to learn more about the symptoms.

They have started the Beep Beep Tour, a road race challenge starting from Modern World cafe in Madeira Drive, Brighton, on April 20.

Competitors will drive to Aylesbury and Liverpool and finish on the Isle of Man on April 24 to coincide with Meningitis Awareness Day.

The tour is named after Reggie’s favourite toy car.

Drivers will take part in challenges such as navigating without a GPS and scavenger hunting.

Entries are still open for the competition. To donate go to beepbeeptour.co.uk.