THE heartbroken family of a four-year-old boy who died of meningitis have released a picture of him critically ill in in hospital bed – as they revealed he didn’t get to attend his second ever day at school.

Alfie, whose surname was not given at the request of his parents, died in Plymouth on September 23 – 12 days after first falling ill.

On a JustGiving page his heartbroken family told how he initially developed symptoms on his first day at school – which he loved.

Releasing a picture of him beaming in his school uniform with his tongue poking out, his family said: “The picture was taken on the day he got ill.

“It was his first day at school, and when he came home he told his mummy he enjoyed it so much he couldn't wait to go back again.

“The next morning, on 11th September, Alfie woke up covered in a purple rash.

“He was rushed to his local hospital where he went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated twice while his parents could only watch on."

“He was then transferred to Bristol Children's ICU where we were told he had meningococcal septicaemia, a life threatening infection of the blood stream.

"Alfie fought so bravely against this devastating illness, but on 20th September his parents were told there was nothing more the doctors could do for him. His organs were shutting down, and his arms, legs and face had been irreparably damaged.

“On the morning of 23rd September, Alfie was taken off of life support. He passed away peacefully at 12.34pm after his mummy and daddy were able to cuddle him for the first time since he'd been taken to hospital 13 days earlier.

“Alfie never got to have his second day at school, but we hope that his story will help raise awareness of the heart breaking impact that meningitis and septicaemia can have."

They went on to describe Alfie as " a beautiful, sweet, happy little four year old boy who loves Paw Patrol, Disney movies and playing with trucks."

Alfie’s aunt Dani Lowther told the Plymouth Herald: “That evening he came home from school and he seemed to be feeling a little under the weather.

“He was a little bit sniffly so when he went to bed his parents gave him some Calpol, as anyone would.

“He was sick in the night and was a bit sleepy. In the morning he had a purple rash so they phoned the ambulance straight away.

“They rushed him to Derriford [Hospital] and took his mum and dad to the emergency room and that’s when they told them he was critical.”

She explained at this stage the parents didn’t wish to speak, as they were coming to terms with their son’s death.

They are fundraising for Alfie’s funeral.