A MOTHER from Sale is sharing the life threatening experience after her son after he contracted meningitis

She will share her horrific memories during national Meningitis Awareness Week(15 to 21 September).

The charity Meningitis Research Foundation estimates that meningitis and septicaemia affect up to nine people in the UK and Ireland every day.

Christine Etheridge, who is also an ambassador for the charity, said: “ My son Ben contracted meningitis in 2004 at the age of three.

"He was critically ill in hospital for eight weeks but fortunately recovered and is doing really well."

Ben, now aged 14, still has ongoing treatment and operations on his legs due to the damage the illness caused.

Christopher Head, chief executive of the foundation said: “We’re very grateful to Christine and Ben for supporting the week.

"Meningitis and septicaemia are diseases you never expect to happen but her personal experience really brings home how devastating these diseases can be and why it’s so important to be aware of the symptoms and be prepared to act fast when loved ones, family and friends fall sick.”

Vaccines have almost eliminated some types of meningitis but not all of them, children are currently vaccinated against Hib, MenC and 13 strains of pneumococcal meningitis.

A MenB vaccine (Bexsero) was recommended for infants in the UK in March 2014. and is available privately, but a timetable for implementation free of charge on the NHS is yet to be confirmed.