Her toothy toddler grin is one her parents will cherish forever.

It is not yet a year since Carlisle couple Donna and Adam Little came close to losing their baby daughter Evie, the youngest of four children.

Evie contracted a potentially deadly strain – Men B – of meningitis when she was four months old, even though she had received two of the three vaccine jabs which all babies in the UK are now offered.

Tests confirmed she had meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia.

Evie survived thanks to the quick actions of staff at the city’s Cumberland Infirmary. Donna, 31, says Evie received “amazing care”.

On April 15 last year Evie wasn’t her normal self.

She was irritable, not feeding, had a “droning” cry and a bulging soft spot on her head. Her temperature was also spiking.

Doctors sent her home initially but, trusting her mother’s instinct, Donna knew something wasn’t right.

She sought medical help again and was sent to the children’s ward.

An immediate lumbar puncture was carried out. Within half an hour Evie tested positive for Men B.

Now 15 months old, Evie has recovered well but remains under the watchful care of a paediatrician.

The Littles, of Chesterholm, Sandsfield Park, have praised hospital staff and chosen to support Meningitis Now, a charity dedicated to raising awareness.

Bake sales at two toddler groups and a fundraising night at Morton Manor community centre helped raise more than £3,000.


Evie Little

The family also had the backing of Newlaithes Infant and Junior Schools in Morton, where Donna and Adam’s older children are pupils.

Non-uniform days boosted funds and symptom cards were handed out to parents.

“I didn’t think we’d ever raise that much,” said Donna, who works at the Cumberland Infirmary.

“If I raised £1,000 I said I’d be happy but it just kept on going up.

“The fundraising night we had in February at Morton Manor we could’ve sold twice over. The raffles and auctions we had on the night went down particularly well and we have to thank all of the businesses that donate prizes.”

Donna and 35-year-old Adam, who works for Northern Vacuums, presented a cheque to Steve Dayman, founder of Meningitis Now, and Phil Cook, a local ambassador for the charity.

They were joined by their daughters Chloe, aged six, and Kacey, who is eight, as well as Donna’s mother Sue Murray. The Littles also have an 11-year-old son, Lewis.

Download a handy chart showing what symptoms to look out for

Steve Dayman set up Meningitis Now more than 30 years following the death of his son. It now relies on donations of £3m a year.

He said: “We don’t receive government funding so the driving force behind our activities is families up and down the country like the Littles.”

The charity is currently funding £1m of research which is focused on developing vaccines to tackle some of the most serious forms of the disease.

The charity also provides support for families.

Meningitis Now is among those battling for the MenB vaccine to be offered to all children under the age of five following the high-profile deaths of children including two-year-old Faye Burdett from Maidstone.

Her death sparked a petition which attracted more than 820,000 signatures and prompted parliamentary debates.

Meningitis Now has places available in the Great North Run in September. Contact Rachel Oakley on 01453 769024, or email rachelo@meningitisnow.org for details.