Aaron Mills started feeling unwell last December
(L-R) Aaron Mills, his mum Deniz, his dad Anthony and his sister Casey
(L-R) Aaron Mills, his mum Deniz, his dad Anthony and his sister Casey(Image: Supplied)
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A teenager who told his mum he had a headache tragically died five days later. Aaron Mills, 18, was a “shining light” who “always made people welcome” according to his dad Anthony.
As a massive Liverpool FC fan like his dad, Aaron was delighted when he moved to Liverpool in September of last year. He had started a football science degree at Liverpool John Moores University and dreamed of becoming part of the coaching staff at his beloved club. He was also a talentedplayer, coach and referee.
The first semester went well for the student, who lived at Byrom Point student halls in Liverpool city centre, however when he returned home to Kidderminster in December to see his family, Aaron fell ill.
The teenager started to feel unwell shortly after surprising his dad by turning up at his 50th birthday party back home, however the symptoms didn't seem alarming at first.
Dad Anthony said: “We partied, we sang together, danced together, it was brilliant. Then on December 29, he was feeling a bit groggy, that’s all.
“He spent some time in bed and then he came down at night and watched a film with us. Then the following morning, he went down to his mum at 6am and said he had a headache.
“He had some paracetamol and went back to bed. And then half an hour after that, he woke me up because he was moaning. I went into his room and he was having a seizure.”
Aaron in the dressing room at Anfield
Aaron in the dressing room at Anfield(Image: Supplied)
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Aaron was rushed to hospital on December 30, where it was discovered that he had meningitis, specifically a strain of Meningococcal group B (MenB) bacteria. Aaron's condition quickly deteriorated and he died on January 3.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, MenB bacteria can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses including meningitis. Being around lots of new people in shared living spaces like university halls increases the risk of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease spreading.
Anthony added: “I knew what it was, so I didn’t hesitate. We rang the ambulance. Him having the seizure, that was within half an hour of speaking to his mum.
“There were no warning signs that something was serious. We didn’t stand a chance. It went from a headache to a seizure, and he never recovered from that seizure.”
Describing what his son was like, Anthony told the ECHO: ”He had this soft, gentle way about him and he made everybody feel warm and welcome. He was just a kind and generous person.
“He was my best friend. My dancing buddy, my singing buddy, my football buddy. Liverpool Football Club, he was just crazy about it. It was his religion.
“He was off to Liverpool, the city he loved, and he was doing football science, hoping to become part of the coaching staff. His ultimate dream was to be working at Liverpool Football Club.
“We dropped him off at university, it was a special time for us. I was just so proud because he was going to live his life and have adventures.
“After being in university, he really came out of himself and you could see the kind of man that he was going to become. I just really enjoyed his company.”
Aaron showing his LFC tattoo
Aaron showing his LFC tattoo(Image: Supplied)
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Aaron’s death was devastating, however the family said they have tried to look at ways his legacy could continue. They allowed his organs to be donated and around 300 people attended his funeral, all wearing a Liverpool top in memory of him.
The teenager also had a season ticket at Kidderminster Harriers, his local team. The team paid tribute when he died with a standing applause in the 18th minute and presented Aaron’s friends with a signed shirt with “AARON 18” on the back.
His parents then turned to the question of why Aaron was not vaccinated. A vaccine for Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) is always offered in school, which Aaron did have. However, he did not have one for MenB and this vaccine is not routinely offered to young people.
After the outbreak in meningitis in Kent earlier this year, Anthony started emailing MPs about this discrepancy and secured a meeting with Sharon Hodgson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Health and Social Care.
The government then agreed to offer the MenB vaccine this summer for Year 13 students and under 25s who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn.
Friends and family are now in the process of organising a 100 mile charity run, over five days in September, from Aggborough Stadium in Kidderminster on Wednesday, September 16 at 9am to Anfield on Sunday, September 20.
A close family friend, Shaun McEntee, has chosen to take on the entire challenge. Many of Aaron’s friends and family will be running and/or cycling parts of the route with Shaun.
Some will join for the last leg to Anfield. Stopping at Byrom Point, staff and students from LJMU will join the run through the city centre and on to Anfield, where more friends and family will be waiting at the Shankly Gates.
Anthony said: “Shaun is the son-in-law to Aaron's godfather. He was up there in hospital to support us. It affected Shaun because he knows what Aaron was.
“He's got two young kids and he told me that he wants his kids to be just like Aaron. He approached me with this challenge. There isn't a more fitting challenge. He had a season ticket at Kidderminster Harriers, he used to go there with his mates.
“And of course, Liverpool was his religion. He was living in Liverpool for the last part of his life and that's where all his hopes and dreams were. So it is a poignant journey, doing it from Aggborough to Anfield.”
Anthony is hoping to get official support for the challenge from LJMU and Anfield.
He said: “The local mayor (in Kidderminster) is going to be there, our MP’s going to be there. There’s going to be a big send-off for him from this end. We’re just trying to put the feelers out to Liverpool Football Club to try and give him a big welcome.”
You can donate to a fund in memory of Aaron here.