Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page in Memory of Oliver Darlington.

On the 3rd of January 2020 my good friends lost there fit, healthy and strong 13 year old son Oliver.    Oliver spent 4 days in Southampton intensive care battling the effects of sepsis after a contracting a heavy cold.

Oliver had so many friends young and old,  Oli you're sorely missed.  RIP buddy x

All our thoughts go out to Oliver's family, Tom, Stacey, Rachel, David, Holly, Ryan & Jack during this unimaginable time x

All money raised goes directly to The UK Sepsis Trust who seek to save lives from sepsis, and improve outcomes for survivors, by instigating political change, educating healthcare professionals, raising public awareness and providing support for those affected by this devastating condition. They will protect people by enabling the prevention of severe infection and the treatment of sepsis, whist helping to ensure antibiotics are used responsibly.

£1000 will provide one hospital with staff training, education and awareness resources.

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I wasn't aware that you could get sepsis from such normal everyday infections like Colds, Sore throats even from a scraped knee.  It can begin anywhere bacteria or viruses enter the body.

Sepsis is caused by your body's response to an infection. Your immune system protects you from many illnesses and infections, but it's also possible for it to go into overdrive in response to an infection.

The large number of chemicals released into the blood during this process triggers widespread inflammation. This can lead to organ damage. Blood clotting during sepsis reduces blood flow to limbs and internal organs. This deprives them of nutrients and oxygen. In severe cases, one or more organs may fail.

In the worst cases, sepsis leads to a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. Doctors call this “septic shock.” It can quickly lead to the failure of several organs -- lungs, kidneys, and liver.

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Sepsis is a leading cause of death in the UK, but too few people know enough about it or understand what they could do to help. According to the UK Sepsis Trust, there are at least 260,000 cases of sepsis a year in the UK. An estimated 44,000 of those people die: a rate of about five people an hour. As many as 25,000 children are affected by sepsis in the UK every year.

Initially, sepsis may present with symptoms similar to flu, gastroenteritis or a chest infection, but adults may then develop:

• Slurred speech.
• Extreme shivering, or pain in the muscles or joints.
• Passing no urine (in a day).
• A feeling “like they are going to die”.
• Skin that is mottled or discoloured.

Children with sepsis may have different symptoms, if they begin to develop sepsis, including:
• Breathing very fast.
• A “fit” or convulsion.
• Looking mottled, bluish or pale.
• A rash that doesn’t fade when pressed.
• Very lethargic or difficult to wake.
• Very cold skin to the touch.

Anyone suspecting sepsis should phone 111 or contact their GP. If anyone looks severely unwell in the context of an infection, and has any of the symptoms listed, they should go straight to A&E or call 999 as a matter of urgency.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.