Son's meningitis death 'smashed our hearts into a million pieces' (From Free Press Series)

Three-year-old son's meningitis death 'smashed our hearts into a million pieces' - Cwmbran family

8:10am Saturday 19th April 2014 in News

A DISTRAUGHT mum has spoken of her grief after her “beautiful” three-year-old son died suddenly from meningitis earlier this week.

Connie Button, from Cwmbran, said her heart had been “smashed into a million pieces” by the death of Shae Brynley Button, who died on Monday.

She had stayed with Shae throughout the night on Sunday, when he fell ill with vomiting and a temperature, but when they woke in the morning she said Shae deteriorated before her eyes.

“He become limp and unresponsive so I called an ambulance at 7am and noticed two little spots on his back while trying to clean him up,” she said.

“Shae only had a few spots and bruises when we arrived at hospital but only two hours later we had to say goodbye to our big boy.

“He developed meningococcal septicaemia meningitis, and it took his life in four hours.”

The family is now desperately trying to raise awareness of the illness.

Ms Button added: “It kills me to be making this statement but I can’t bear to think of another family suffering the way we are.”

“Our beautiful little boy had the biggest heart and most infectious smile you could imagine. Everywhere he went he brought a smile with his cheeky character. We never imagined when we tucked him into bed Sunday night that our world would be gone by Monday morning.

“The main thing I knew about meningitis was the rash, but, in reality, once the rash has broken it’s too late. I can’t put into words how the loss of our little boy has devastated my life and smashed our hearts into a millions pieces.”

The family has organised a fundraising event in Shae’s memory in Cwmbran town centre on Saturday, at Gwent Square.

From 2pm to 4pm they will be selling balloons with personal message which will then be let off. Raffle tickets will also be on sale, for an auction to be held at the Football Factory, Avondale Industrial Estate, from 7pm.

More than forty local businesses have donated to the cause.

There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting , cake sale, and character appearances.

Family friend Sophie Pilot, who has helped organise the event, said: “The support of the community has been overwhelming.

“The communities of Cwmbran and Pontypool have been deeply sadden and shaken by the death of this special little boy. He will be sadly missed by many.”

A fundraising page has also been set up in his honour.

All proceeds will go to charity Meningitis Now.

To donate see www.justgiving.com/Hayley-Orme