Little Bobby Bushell died in his mother's arms of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia aged just 13 months only 15 hours after his panic-stricken parents had realised something was wrong.

The death of their third child left father Craig, 25, and his partner Jane Hooks, 24, of Auckley, struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

But the pair, together with their daughter Kyra, eight, and six-year-old son Mason, were joined by more than 200 friends and family at Barnby Dun Social Club last week, raising money for the Meningitis Trust and also raising awareness of the deadly disease.

Bobby's uncle Robert Hooks, 27, of Wheatley, said it had been a very difficult time for the family but his sister and Craig were keen to get the message about meningitis across.

"Jane and Craig are striving to make people aware of the disease," said Robert, whose father Alfred organised the fundraiser, featuring various raffle prizes donated by local businesses.

"You hear a lot of stories about the symptoms but people don't understand that the symptoms don't always show.

"Bobby developed a rash two hours before he died and that was too late."

Baby Bobby died at Doncaster Royal Infirmary in the early hours of August 13 last year despite the best efforts of medical staff.

His parents had initially rushed him to a doctor after realising he was very lethargic and not his usual self the previous afternoon.

"With it being so quick and so horrific a lot of people did not believe it had happened," said Robert. "I got a phone call to say he was in hospital and within hours he was dead. It was like being in a dreamy state.

"The whole family is still coming to terms with it now. People are still trying to rebuild their lives and get things back on track."

Jane and Craig expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support of family, friends and local businesses and to Jane's father for organising the event.