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'To lose your child is the worst thing'

Paul Gentry Izzy looks to the side smiling, she has long dark hair and is wearing silver jewellery.Paul Gentry
Izzy died from meningitis when she was 16

A man whose daughter died from meningitis is urging parents to check their children's vaccinations are up-to-date and to make sure they know the signs of the disease.

Paul Gentry's daughter Izzy died when she was 16 and studying for her A-levels in 2016.

Within 48 hours of becoming unwell she went into a coma and never recovered.

Mr Gentry, a military veteran from Swindon said: "I've seen a lot of horrific things, but to lose your child is the worst thing.

Paul Gentry Paul Gentry on the left in a charity t-shirt, looking into the camera with short grey hair, next to Lisa Snowdon on the right, who is also looking at the camera and has long dark hair.Paul Gentry
Mr Gentry is an ambassador for Meningitis Now and met presenter Lisa Snowdon, who has been through the disease herself

"If they're taken away from you, there's nothing that can describe that."

Mr Gentry was speaking at an event to mark World Meningitis Day, and he has also become a volunteer ambassador for Meningitis Now.

Describing Izzy as having a "beautiful, lovely personality, a friend with everybody", he explained that she had aimed to be a midwife and would have wanted him to do something following her death.

"I didn't want to grieve and shut my life down", he said.

"Beggar's belief"

Most available vaccines against different types of meningitis are included as part of the UK routine immunisation schedule.

Mr Gentry said it was "frustrating" that some have not been vaccinated.

He said: "It's beggar's belief, considering it's freely available and it's a lifesaver, it's important parents check with the their doctors to make sure their children have been vaccinated."

He emphasised that sometimes symptoms are not obvious - it was only when Izzy was in intensive care that the well-known rash appeared.

Her illness started as a headache, one of a long list of potential symptoms given by the NHS.

Eventually, the disease led to all her organs shutting down.

Paul Gentry Paul Gentry wearing an orange charity T-shirt and dark shorts looking into the camera while standing in a junglePaul Gentry
Mr Gentry has taken on numerous challenges since 2016 to raise awareness and cash for Meningitis Now

Mr Gentry said: "People only talk about meningitis when something really tragic occurs."

It is one of the reasons he does the charity challenges.

Since 2016 he has undertaken dozens of challenges for charity to raise money and to raise awareness about meningitis.

He said: "It's been a positive outcome in that Izzy drives me.

"I know several other families that have lost their children and they're the same."

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