Baby to lose arms and legs after developing meningitis

An 11-month-old baby is set to lose her arms and legs after developing meningitis

Harmonie-Rose Allen, from Bath, Somerset, was diagnosed with the infection last month after she was rushed into hospital after turning blue and limp at home.

She is currently on a life support machine in the intensive care unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children being closely monitored by doctors.

The toddler had been given a 10 percent chance of survival but she has battled on and is expected to recover.

But her parents Freya Hall and Ross Allen have been told surgeons will need to amputate both her arms above the elbow and both her legs above the knee to save her.

Friends and family are now working to raise more than £40,000 to pay for prosthetic limbs that will enable her to live as normal a life as possible.

Speaking about his daughter's ordeal, Ross said: "She had been a little bit under the weather all week but we just assumed it was a cold and because she was teething we put it down to that as well.

"We took her to hospital and we were sent home, and the same again the next day. But then she went all limp and she was blue.

"She was rushed to the children's hospital. It was absolutely horrible. She was really lucky to survive.

"Doctors told us it was the worst case they had seen in three years and they really didn't think she would make the journey to the hospital. She's a little fighter.

"We are not sure what is going to happen next but every day is a winner."

The infection struck just weeks after Harmonie-Rose had taken her first steps.

Ross added: "We are hoping that we can buy her two pairs of prosthetics, arms and legs that she can walk on.

"This will cost us about £40,000 - £20,000 per set - and we're hoping we can get her some pink ones.

"She's a little fighter and she is going to keep on fighting. We hope that she can carry on with life like any other children her age."

Anyone who wishes to donate to the cause can visit this Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/events/732493966843652/?fref=ts