I WAS deeply saddened to read the article about the tragic death of 19-year-old Ade Gibbs from meningitis (Daily Echo, April 17).

I lost my son to this terrible disease some time ago and can well imagine the pain that all those who knew Ade are suffering.

On behalf of the national charity Meningitis UK, which represents hundreds of families who have experienced the devastation caused by these diseases, I would like to pass on our heartfelt sympathies to Ade's family and friends.

Meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia are such cruel and complicated diseases, which in most cases happen so quickly there is little time to realise something is seriously wrong.

Meningitis UK has a single focus - to find a vaccine to eradicate all forms of meningitis.

Sadly, although successful vaccines exist to protect against some strains, there is no vaccine to protect against the most common form - meningococcal group B, which causes almost 90 per cent of all cases in the UK.

In the absence of a vaccine to protect against all strains, we distribute a wide range of material to raise awareness of the common symptoms and the need to act quickly.

For an information pack, including wallet-sized symptoms cards, or to support our search for a vaccine, please call us on 0117 373 7373 or www.meningitisUK.org STEVE DAYMAN, chief executive, Meningitis UK.