A grateful mum whose daughter survived meningitis, is preparing to hand over £3,000 to a charity dedicated to raising awareness.

Donna Little, of Chesterholm, Carlisle, has been fundraising for Meningitis Now ever since the recovery of her daughter Evie from the disease.

Her daughter was just four-months-old when she became ill with meningitis B in April 2016.

“I felt I wanted to help others who have been affected by meningitis and fundraising gave me something to focus on rather than think about the what-ifs,” Donna said.

“It scares me to think we came so close to losing Evie and raising the money kept my mind off it a little ."

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

Her temperature kept spiking, she was irritable, not feeding and she had a bulging soft spot on her head.

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

“Evie is my fourth child,” she said “and I have never seen a baby look so poorly before.

“Never did I suspect meningitis but I knew it was serious.”

Donna took her daughter to the children’s ward at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle where meningitis was diagnosed.

“My whole world fell apart,” Donna said. “I have never felt so scared in my whole life, but as a family we stayed so strong for her.

“It was heartbreaking to see her in the cot crying and not be able to comfort her.”

Evie was in hospital for 10 days and responded well to her treatment. She continues to make a good recovery.

In the weeks and months afterwards, Donna and the family set about fundraising.

“I’m also pleased that we’ve raised so much awareness of meningitis," Donna said. "I’ve handed out hundreds of Meningitis Now symptoms cards and if even one of them helps somebody then I’ve achieved something.”

She has organised two coffee, cake and raffle mornings at the toddler groups she attends with Evie, and a non-uniform day at Newlaithes School, which her other three children Lewis, 11, Kacey, eight, and six-year-old Chloe attend.

She’s also recently held a charity night with singers, DJ, buffet and raffle.

“I had loads of donations of prizes for the events,” Donna said, “and I’d like to thank everybody who has contributed and helped make them such a success.”

“Evie is an absolute little star,” Donna added, “and we are so proud of her every day.

“I cannot thank the hospital enough - they saved my baby’s life and I will be forever grateful for that,” she added.

Meningitis Now founder Steve Dayman will visit Donna next week to collect her fundraising.

He said: “We’d like to thank Donna, and everyone who’s helped her raise this fantastic amount to fight back against meningitis.

“As a charity that receives no Government funding we rely entirely on the generosity, energy and initiative of our supporters to raise the vital funds we need to carry out our lifesaving and life-changing work.

“Donna’s efforts will make a real difference to those who are at risk from meningitis and those whose lives have already been changed forever because of it.”

For more information and to donate visit www.meningitisnow.org