Meningitis campaign for mum to try and help others

Alison Goude never lets the scented diffusers in her teenage daughter’s bedroom run out.

Although Livia’s room has been vacant for years, the floral fragrances continue to fill the space like she were still alive.

But the 19-year-old, who had unknowingly contracted meningococcal type B meningitis, died in her sleep in the summer of 2022.

The day before she had complained of flu-like symptoms, such as feeling feverish and tired, but Alison suspected her daughter had just “overdone” it after returning to work following a music festival in Manchester.

“When Livia mentioned a headache, she did say it was the worst headache she had ever had,” said Alison.

“I never thought for a second it was anything serious,” the 49-year-old added.

Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges – the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord – and it is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

As seen in Livia’s case, it can kill within hours.

Alison said her daughter was “full of energy and love” and relished going out with her friends and away on holidays.

She started ballet when she was aged three and went on to study dance at York College.

“As a child, Livia was a very girly girl, and she loved everything pink,” Alison recalled.

“And she absolutely loved to dance.”

Alison said she wished she had known more about the symptoms of meningitis when her daughter was still alive as she believes it might have changed the outcome.

She has has now made it her mission to raise awareness about the deadly disease, particularly in young people.

“It’s just something I’ve got to do,” Alison said, adding: “I’ll never stop.”

Since Livia’s death, friends and family have raised more than £28,000 for the Meningitis Research Foundation – a charity working to prevent the disease.

Fundraising events have included marathons, park runs, hikes and sporting tournaments as well as a charity ball for what would have been Livia’s 21st birthday.

This year, for World Meningitis Day on 5 October, York’s Millennium Bridge will glow purple in Livia’s memory.

Alison said not a day went by where she didn’t think about Livia or get upset.

She added: “I just wish I could swap places with her and that she could be here living life as she should be.

“I would do anything to have my old normal life back.”

Emma Fawcett, course leader of dance and musical theatre at York College, said fundraising in her former student’s memory meant “everything” to her.

“We have a photo of her in the studio, and I know she is with us every day. I always say good morning to her,” she explained.

She remembered Livia as a gracious dancer who was a pleasure to teach.

“If there’s anything I can do to raise awareness and prevent another family from facing that devastating loss, then I am on board,” she added.

Claire Wright, senior insights manager at Meningitis Research Foundation, said people aged between 15 and 24 were at “particularly high risk” of meningococcal disease due to high levels of social interaction and close living conditions, such as university halls of residence.

But, at the moment, the MenB vaccine – the only protection against type B meningococcal bacteria, which makes up 90% of the meningitis cases in the UK – was only available to children.

Dr Andrew Lee, regional deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency in Yorkshire and the Humber, said this was because infants were most at risk of contracting the illness.

“As with all vaccine programmes, the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation will keep the programme under constant review,” he said.

“MenB is a rare, but terrible disease and this is yet another devastating reminder of how serious it can be.

“Our thoughts are with Livia Wilson’s family.”