Thank you, Faye

Ican’t begin to imagine how grieving dad Neil Burdett finds the will to go on with life. One year ago Neil and his wife Jenny lost their two-year-old daugher Faye to meningitis B.

Despite their devastation the family publicised their tragedy in a bid to try and save other parents from the terrible fate they had suffered.

That publicity led to a petition to Parliament that was signed by more than three quarters of a million people calling on the Government to extend the vac- cination to all children.

The plea fell on deaf ears with the Government saying it was not a good use of money – although it will surprise no-one that ministers have not released details of how they come to such a decision.

As a sop the Government minister then responsible promised a public awareness campaign.

One year on from Faye’s death, dad Neil has launched a blistering attack on the Government accusing it of complacency and saying its decision not to extend the jab was “insulting and devastating’’.

To add insult to injury he says the Government has done “absolutely nothing’’ on its promise to raise awareness.

As the father of two young children who were not eligible for the jabs and whose lives have not been sufficiently valued by the Government I share his pain and anger.

We decided to pay for the jabs privately at the cost of £440. It was the best money we ever spent – but I resent having to have done it.

It will be small consolation to Neil and his wife, but we took the decision after reading about Faye.

They succeeded where the Government failed and raised our awareness.

Faye Burdett