A FAMILY whose baby nearly died after contracting meningitis on Christmas day has raised £1,150 for the specialist ambulance that transferred him safely to hospital.

Ripon youngster Jacob Dodsworth, now three years old, was rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital on Christmas Day 2014 with pneumococcal meningitis – a virus which caused swelling of his brain and spinal cord.

The youngster, who also had fluid on his brain, was in intensive care for several days while doctors fought to save him, before being transferred to the neurosciences ward where he stayed for four more weeks.

Jacob’s family have since become dedicated fundraisers for the charity. Most recently they took their efforts to the Thirsk truck show in North Yorkshire.

“I take my truck to a local show every year,” said 40 year-old Tim Dodsworth.

“My wife Jo did a cake stall and tombola over the weekend and managed to raise £1,150.”

“This year we wanted to give it to the Embrace ambulance service through The Children’s Hospital Charity. They transferred Jacob on that Christmas day.”