"Having the bench at Aston University, where Ria was studying, will help other students to learn about meningitis."
Student Ria had her dreams stolen when she died from meningitis. With support from our Rebuilding Futures Fund, a memorial bench is being unveiled at Aston University in loving tribute.
Ria’s mum Kiran tells us: “Ria was 19 years, 8 months and 18 days old when she passed away due to meningitis. Ria was an outgoing child, loved by all who knew her, a great and best friend to all.
“Ria was a student at Aston University studying Law. She worked part-time at her local McDonalds. Ria started university in September 2022 and all this happened during her first year at university.
“In May 2023 Ria told me her head, body and eyes hurt. I told her, ‘You are looking at your laptop too much, take a break, eat something, have a paracetamol.' I did not know the symptoms of meningitis at that point.
"It was the 18th of May 2023 when I noticed Ria had a rash. I called 111. She had a high temperature, a headache, body pain, eye and neck pain. She was also feeling sick. 111 said to take her to A&E.
Did not know meningitis symptoms
“I took her into Sandwell Hospital A&E department. We told them Ria's symptoms but they sent us to UTC Urgent Treatment Centre. We sat in the public waiting area; it was a long wait.
“We saw the triage nurse and then we were sent to the public waiting area again.
“We finally saw a doctor - he touched one spot on Ria's hand and said, ‘It’s scarlet fever’. He told her not to go to university, to take the medication he had given her and to rest up. Then he sent us home.
"I trusted the NHS and the doctors, and I put my daughter’s life in their hands, but no-one picked up on this deadly disease at that point. It was the wrong diagnosis.
Not able to do anything
“Ria was in pain all day. She was crying but falling asleep while crying. I told her to wait until the medication started to work. I did not know I was watching my own child dying. I did not know about meningitis. I was not able to do anything.
“Less than 18 hours after seeing a doctor Ria was getting so much worse. She had been sick and fell on the floor of her bedroom at 3am in the morning. She could hear me but did not speak and was staring into space.
"I called 111 and they sent an ambulance. While waiting for the ambulance Ria had two or three fits.
“Ria was taken into hospital by ambulance. I went with her. She was responding to them when they touched her - she moved, she was alive. They took her for a brain scan. I heard them when we got to A&E asking, 'She was here yesterday, who sent her home?’.
Told to call my family
“A consultant came and checked her rash. They said the spots were not all fading but most were. They said to call my family. I was shocked and upset. They took Ria up to the Intensive Care Unit.
"The next time I saw my child she was on a life support machine in a coma. They said she had meningitis.
“I had a long and hard few weeks as I asked for a second opinion. I was told they wanted to switch the machines off. Each day a different consultant came. They were not communicating with each other. I had to get solicitors involved.
"If the hospital misses a deadly disease like meningitis, how can I trust them again? I've lost my first-born child - it’s a life-changing situation for me and my family.
Dreams not fulfilled
“Ria had dreams. She had just got a car three months before falling sick. She wanted to start to save towards a home whilst studying and working.
"She had a boyfriend and had plans to start a family and have a home of her own. She wanted to become a barrister or a judge.
“I chose to have a memorial bench put up for Ria because it’s the first time we as a family have lost someone so young. The bench will be a memory place for anyone who knew her to go to visit, sit and think about her. It will be easy for me and her friends to go to.
"Having the bench at Aston University, where Ria was studying, will help other students to learn about meningitis. They’ll be able to raise awareness and look out for each other.
“The university has helped me a lot, as they are keen to spread meningitis awareness to other student after losing a student to this disease.
“Meningitis Now is providing ongoing support and I would like to thank them very much for the funding towards Ria’s memorial bench. If having this bench can help raise awareness and can help someone else then this is a wonderful thing we are all doing.
“I would like to thank Meningitis Now for their support, and also Aston University, Sandwell Council and Birmingham Council for helping me with this. On behalf of all Ria’s friends and my family, may you rest in peace Ria.”
To find out more about our Rebuilding Futures Fund and apply visit our website here or speak to our Helpline on 0808 80 10 388 or email helpline@meningitisnow.org.
