One afternoon in December 2023, five year-old Lila Marsland began suffering a series of symptoms familiar with most parents.

She complained of neck pain, a headache and had been vomiting.

Her mother, Rachael Mincherton, from Hyde, took her to Tameside Hospital in Greater Manchester, where a district nurse said the child had tonsillitis, offered a prescription for antibiotics and discharged her.

But within 12 hours, ‘adorable’ Lila was dead.

An eight-day inquest into her shock death is due to start at Manchester South Coroner’s Court in Stockport, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.

An initial investigation indicated that Lila had signs of meningitis bacteria in fluid surrounding her brain.

Ms Mincherton said she asked hospital staff if meningitis could be a cause of her daughter’s symptoms, but was told it was tonsillitis.

Meningitis is a deadly infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges), and is usually caused by a bacteria or virus.

Lila Marsland was described as an ‘amazing’ and ‘adorable’ child with a ‘gentle soul’

Since Lila’s death, Ms Mincherton and her partner Darren Marsland, 42, have set up a charity called ‘ Lila’s Light ‘

 It can quickly turn deadly, as it triggers life-threatening sepsis—an extreme reaction to an infection. 

Meningitis can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.

It’s estimated up to 1 in every 10 cases of bacterial meningitis is fatal. 

Speaking ahead of the inquest about the ordeal Ms Mincherton said: ‘When we arrived home from hospital, I slept with Lila that night and when I woke she was unresponsive.

‘The paramedics arrived in minutes and did everything they could, but it was too late. At that moment our family changed forever.

‘Lila was the most amazing and adorable little girl.

‘She was a gentle soul who had many friends and all the teachers at school thought the world of her.

‘I’d pick Lila up and it would take half an hour to leave as she would be hugging all of the teachers.

The paramedics arrived moments after Lila’s mother reported her to be unresponsive, but it was too late

 ‘Lila played with her friends, loved dancing, cheerleading and Rainbows.

‘She had a zest for life and her entire future ahead of her. It breaks our hearts that she’ll never get to make the most of life and fulfil her potential.’

Since Lila’s death, Ms Mincherton and her partner Darren Marsland, 42, have set up a charity called ‘Lila’s Light’—where they raise money to provide hospitals with bereavement bags for siblings who have lost a brother or sister.

They have raised over £10,000 so far, through a variety of fundraisers including a family fun day and charity football match.

‘No family thinks they’ll ever find themselves in this position,’ said Ms Mincherton.

‘It’s almost impossible to put into words the feeling of loss our family faces every day and how Lila’s death will remain with us forever.

‘We wouldn’t wish what we’re having to go through on anyone.’

The couple, who are also parents to 15-year-old daughter Ava, are hoping the inquest will provide them with the ‘answers they deserve’ and have also instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell.

‘One of the hardest things to try and come to terms with is having so many unanswered questions about why Lila died,’ said Ms Mincherton, a former nurse. 

‘We know the inquest and listening to the evidence is going to be incredibly difficult but it’s something we need to do to establish answers for our girl.’

The Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which run the hospital, have been contacted for a comment.