Heartbroken parents release tragic picture of their son, 7, dying from meningitis...

 Heartbroken parents Claire and Mark Timmins have released pictures that captured the final moments of Their seven-year-old son Mason shortly before he died of meningitis, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the disease and to urge families to get their children vaccinated.

Mason told his mother he felt ill one morning back in 2013.

Less than 24 hours later he had passed away.

Now Mrs Timmins is urging parents to be vigilant with other symptoms because Mason did not have the red rash most commonly associated with meningitis.

He had even had the viral meningitis vaccination - but contracted the bacterial form of the disease. 

Mrs Timmins, 37, said of the photograph: 

'It is quite shocking but that's what we want as hopefully it will make people sit up and listen.

'We want to raise as much awareness as possible and keep campaigning for this vaccination.

'It's very well for babies to have it but what about all the other children?

'There has been more and more cases and people need to think not only about the rash but the other symptoms as it can get hold quickly and can result in death.

'It is important to look for the rash - but there are other signs too.'