The family of an 18-year-old girl who died during the Kent meningitis outbreak say they have been “overwhelmed with love and support”.
Juliette Kenny, a Year 13 pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, died on March 14 – less than 24 hours after first falling ill at her home.
Juliette Kenny, 18, died during the meningitis outbreak in Kent
The schoolgirl, known as Lettie, died from meningitis B, a serious bacterial infection which can lead to meningitis and sepsis and can become life-threatening within hours.
This week, her family described their heartbreak on a GoFundMe page set up in honour of her legacy.
“It has been such a shock to us all and we have been overwhelmed with love and support from our family and friends,” they wrote.
“Thank you to all who have reached out to us, and thank you for keeping us in your thoughts.
“We thank Macknade Farm Shop and other groups for choosing Meningitis Research Foundation as one of their chosen charities to fundraise for this year.”
The Kenny Family (left to right): Juliette, Michael, Rebecca and Florence. Picture: Meningitis Research Foundation
The family say, with the teenager’s funeral approaching, many have asked whether they should contribute with flowers or a donation.
“We, of course, welcome either,” they added.
“We are keen to celebrate Juliette’s life and continue her legacy.
“Should you wish to donate, we have made this page in order for you to do so.
“We are looking to do this in a number of ways, including donations to wildlife charities and support for environmental causes which were close to her heart.
“Thank you once again for all the love, care and support we have been given, we have been in people’s thoughts far and wide and that has been a source of comfort during this incredibly difficult time.”
You can visit the fundraising page by clicking here.
In an emotional statement released last month through the Meningitis Research Foundation, Juliette’s father Michael Kenny said his daughter had been “fit, healthy and strong” just days before her death.
“We are incredibly proud parents to two wonderful daughters. Juliette is a force in this world,” he said.
“With her beautifully positive energy she spread fun, love and happiness to those around her and she continues to do so now.
A long queue for meningitis vaccines at the University of Kent amid the outbreak
“The devastation of her loss to us, her family and friends is immeasurable.”
He described how the illness progressed rapidly, with Juliette first vomiting in the early hours of March 13.
“There were no other symptoms at this time,” he said.
“In the morning on Friday, she was taken, by us, to our local emergency drop-in as a discolouration appeared on her cheeks.
“She was given antibiotics and sent by ambulance to A&E.
“Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite the fantastic NHS hospital staff fighting alongside her, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later.
“We were with her at the end, and the last sounds that she heard were the voices of those who loved her telling her how very much loved and cherished she is.”
Juliette died from meningitis B, a serious bacterial infection which can lead to meningitis and sepsis and can become life-threatening within hours.
Her family say they were unaware that the MenB vaccine is not routinely available on the NHS for teenagers and young adults, despite being offered to babies.
They are urging the government to extend access to the jab to older age groups.
“No family should experience this pain and tragedy,” Mr Kenny said.
A queue for treatment at the University of Kent amid a deadly outbreak of meningitis
“This can be avoided. There are young people currently battling this and young people still at risk.
“Juliette’s impact on this world must be lasting change. Now is the time to ensure families are safe from the impact of meningitis B.”
Highlighting how rapidly the illness took hold, Mr Kenny noted his daughter had successfully completed a practical assessment for her PE A-level at Queen Elizabeth’s just the day before she fell ill.
Head teacher Amelia McIlroy previously described Juliette as an “incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent” pupil whose death has left the school “devastated”.
The Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) says teenagers and young adults remain one of the key at-risk groups but face a “clear protection gap” unless they pay privately.
The MenB jab was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015, meaning the majority of young people born before then are not protected.
Thousands of people were vaccinated and given precautionary antibiotics in response to the situation, amid one of the largest public health responses Kent has seen in recent years.
Several infections were traced to three nights of partying in Club Chemistry, Canterbury, from March 5. The earliest victim fell ill on March 9, the most recent on March 16.
At its peak, 34 were hospitalised with confirmed or suspected invasive meningococcal disease. Two people, including Juliette, died.
Last week, it emerged the QEQM Hospital waited two days before raising the alarm about the first suspected meningitis case of the Kent outbreak.
The UK Health Security Agency was first alerted to a case by the Margate site on the afternoon of Friday, March 13.
That patient arrived at hospital two days earlier, but there was a delay in reporting to health officials, despite a legal requirement to report cases immediately.