WHEN James Burton fell terminally ill after being diagnosed with meningitis at just nine months old, his parents feared the worst.

Thankfully St Albans schoolboy James, now aged 14, has made a full recovery, despite being left fighting for his life.

This weekend Mike and Rhian Burton, along with their close friend Ann Griffin, will take on the London Marathon to raise money for Meningitis UK.

Their inspirational son's recovery has spurred the couple on to attempt the 26.2-mile run following the frightening experience.

Rhian, 46, remembers how their trauma began while on holiday in Spain.

She said: “James was a bit grouchy and not himself. When we brought him home he was quite non-responsive but we thought that he was just tired from the travelling.

“But my husband Mike could sense something more serious was wrong and we called the doctor out.”

The doctor prescribed James with antibiotics but was unable to pinpoint what was wrong.

After 24 hours there were no signs of James getting better and he was still very non-responsive so Rhian and Mike called a second doctor, who took one look at James and told the family to pack their bags. He was immediately rushed to Hemel Hempstead Hospital.

Rhian, who works as a nurse for Bupa, added: “A doctor asked us whether James had a birthmark on his neck because she had spotted a small red mark.

“It turns out this was the start of a rash caused by septicaemia. It’s amazing that she spotted it.

“They did a lumbar puncture and started treating him straightaway. At one point they thought they might need to transfer him to St Mary’s Hospital in London for specialist treatment but thankfully his condition started to improve.”

James spent a week in hospital and has gone on to make a full recovery.

Thoughts of helping the charity find a vaccine, which would spare parents in the future from a similar nightmare, will spur the St Albans couple on when they run on Sunday, April 17.

James was diagnosed with the meningitis B strain of the disease, which is the most common in this country. Money raised from their marathon efforts will go towards Meningitis UK’s Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign to find a vaccine to protect against all forms of the disease.

Rhian added: “Looking at James now you would never guess how ill he was. He’s taller than me with long curly hair. He’s into rugby and heavy metal – a world away from that poorly baby lying in hospital.

“It sends shivers down my spine thinking of what could have happened had we not trusted our instincts and been persistent."

To sponsor Rhian and Mike visit www.justgiving.com/Ann-Griffin0.