Our beautiful son Alex was just 11 months old when he contracted meningococcal disease and, despite the most amazing efforts of the team at Addenbrookes Hospital, he died the following day.

Alex packed a lot into his short life. He traveled with his family to a working farm where he helped to feed the animals and rode a pony (albeit with a bit of help from Dad!), he visited his grandparents in Cyprus and he even endured the 7hr drive each way for a skiing holiday.

Alex was at his happiest when he was surrounded by people doing something fun. He loved learning to swim and his sessions at the Little Gym (he even had a girlfriend or two there!) but nothing could beat the time playing hide and seek, or chase, with his big brother.

He was a cheeky boy - he loved taunting Mummy by emptying the bookcase of all the books, and when she was busy putting them back he would push all the jigsaw puzzle boxes together so he could climb them and remove everything from the mantelpiece. These activities, combined with the daily game of 'Mummy fetch' from the high chair were a source of endless entertainment.

Everyone who met Alex loved him. People would always comment on his big blue eyes and infectious smile. We were, and continue to be, immensely proud of our little sausage.

We are devastated that we have lost our precious boy, and that Callum has lost his best friend, but feel privileged to have had him in our lives.