A COUPLE whose six-month-old daughter died from meningitis are helping to raise awareness of the virus.

Phil and Nicola Chard were devastated by Madison’s death last year but are keen to do everything they can to prevent other parents experiencing the same tragedy.

They couple, from Priory Court, Rochester, have also revealed how the arrival of a new baby son is helping them to come to terms with their loss.

Madison was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham with a high temperature in April 2004. Hours later, she was diagnosed with meningitis.

A specialist team from a London hospital dashed to Medway to treat her but, despite their best efforts they couldn’t save her.

Two weeks later Nicola discovered she was expecting the couple’s second child, Taylor.

She said: “Phil and I were, and still are, completely devastated by Madison’s death. Her brother has given us the strength to carry on but it was a real roller-coaster ride.”

The tragedy was made even worse by the death of Nicola’s father Graham Payne, a former mayor of Gillingham, who lost his battle with cancer just two days after Madison’s death.

The double tragedy rocked the family but Nicola and Phil have found the strength to rebuild their lives and help other families affected by meningitis.

The couple are now working with the Meningitis Research Foundation during a national awareness week which starts on Sunday.

Nicola added: “The support Phil and I received from the foundation was fantastic. We want to do anything we can to help other parents because we know that being aware of the symptoms of meningitis is vital.

“The foundation has a 24-hour helpline offering medical advice on symptoms. It really helped us and the staff were fantastic even when I phoned them during the middle of the night.”

One of the aims of the week is to make people aware of the advice service which can be reached on 080 8800 3344.