PARENTS of young people killed by meningitis are backing a drive to prevent more lives being lost.

More than 100 schools across Teesside are to be sent an information pack, urging teachers and parents to be aware of the symptoms of the deadly disease - and to act quickly if they suspect it.

National charity Meningitis UK aims to make schools more aware of the dangers of meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia.

The launch will take place this week at Holy Trinity School, Fairfield, Stockton, where Helen Laing, who died from meningococcal septicaemia in May 2001, aged 24, was a former pupil.

Her parents, Terry and Sue, have raised nearly £30,000 for Meningitis UK after starting an annual five-mile sponsored walk in her name.

They will be accompanied at the launch by Neil and Jayne Pickard, who lost their five-year old daughter, Laura, in June 2001. They, too, have raised money for the charity.

Mr Laing said: "We are so glad Meningitis UK is launching these packs in our area. Being aware of these diseases is key to preventing other families suffering the devastation they can cause. We hope people will continue supporting Helen's Walk and the work of Meningitis UK."

All schools in Stockton, Middlesborough and Redcar and Cleveland will be sent an information pack in response to the thousands of pounds raised in their communities to aid research.

The packs contain a meningitis symptoms fridge magnet, a question and answer leaflet, an awareness poster, a wallet-sized symptoms card and a questionnaire to test how much schools know about the disease.