A THORNBURY charity has revealed the true cost of surviving meningitis.

New figures have been released by the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) in a comprehensive study of children who are living with the consequences of the disease.

In one case, a little boy who was struck down with septicaemia at 18 months old has been left with multiple amputations and behavioural difficulties. The total lifelong costs of supporting him up to age 70 are more than £2million.

In another case, it will cost £3million to support a three-year-old girl left brain damaged, deaf and partially blind by meningitis. Since compiling the figures, MRF has launched a new campaign Counting the Cost of Meningitis which calls on the Government to pursue the widest and earliest implementation of vaccines to prevent the diseases.

Chief executive Christopher Head said: "'Counting the Cost of Meningitis’ improves on the patchy existing research in this area. Those who survive can struggle to come to terms with diseases which change lives forever.

"Our new campaign makes practical recommendations to Government to reduce the burden of disease through vaccination in the UK.

"We are calling on everyone to support us by signing our online petition at www.meningitis.org as vaccination provides peace of mind for every parent across the country."