GRIEVING Melksham parents Sue and Michael Smith are preparing to mark the first anniversary of their son's death.

Popular 20-year-old electrician Kieran had his whole life ahead of him when he was cruelly struck down by meningococcal septicaemia last October.

Since the tragedy shattered their family, Mr and Mrs Smith have been working to save other families from going through the intense pain of losing a loved one from meningitis.

Raising more than £12,000 for the Meningitis Trust since Kieran's death, Mr and Mrs Smith, of Hazelwood Road, have worked tirelessly in their bid to increase awareness of meningitis.

Carrying symptom cards for the illness wherever they go and hosting fundraising events in Melksham and surrounding towns, the couple are now setting their sights on the Trust's annual awareness week, which begins on Monday.

This weekend they will be getting involved in a five valleys challenge a 21 mile trek across the valleys of Gloucester to help boost the Trust's ever-growing profile.

Meningitis is a complicated disease taking many forms. But despite widespread and well-documented cases, people still believe the illness will never affect them. The fact of the matter is that every age group is considered at risk, from adults and children, to babies and pensioners.

While meningitis in bacterial form can be fatal, viral meningitis can leave you deaf, blind, and in some cases permanently maimed.

Mrs Smith, 43, said everyone should know the severe impact the devastating disease can have on families.

She said: "We had the most wonderful son who was bubbly, happy and would have done anything for anybody. He did not deserve to die and we don't deserve to go through what we are going through.

"I think people are still very complacent and never think it will happen to them. I know I did. I just thought Kieran had the flu.

"Raising the money helps us to cope. I keep myself busy all the time so I can sleep at night. By raising awareness we are hopefully helping other people to stop them losing someone they love.

"I am always talking to people about meningitis and carrying awareness cards. People always say they didn't realise it could be fatal or could develop so quickly.

"This year we are trying to get across the message that adults can get it too. We have had letters from people in their 30s, 50s and 70s who have had the disease, proving age is no barrier." The Melksham couple visited the Trust's headquarters in Stroud to see its invaluable work first-hand this summer.

Mrs Smith said: "They are working very, very hard in everything, from awareness to fundraising.

"The government needs to work harder to raise awareness because not enough is being done nationwide."

Anyone wanting to sponsor Mr and Mrs Smith for the five valleys challenge can contact the couple on 07971 444302 or fill in a sponsorship form available in the Wiltshire Times reception in Duke Street, Trowbridge, from today.