TODDLER Poppy Connolly was all smiles and giggles as she waved to her dad as he drove off for work.

But just eight hours later she was battling for her life in hospital.

And two hours after that, her parents held her tightly as doctors turned off the life support machine.

The 23-month-old died in the John Radcliffe Hospital from a rare form of meningitis.

Her parents Tracy and Gavin, landlords of the Ampleforth Arms pub in Risinghurst, are now hoping to warn other parents about the symptoms and have organised a charity event this weekend.

Mrs Connolly, 39, said: “Poppy was always full of life, absolutely full. She was into everything, she was just discovering life and she was a little adventurer.

“She had three siblings who she just idolised and would follow round and from the moment she could, she was there in the thick of it.”

But on May 23, Poppy became “lethargic and a bit dopey” and slept through most of the day.

The next morning, she waved her dad off to work and settled down with her mum.

Mrs Connolly said: “At about 10.45 she started grizzling and groaning. Then I picked her up and her eyes rolled back.”

She drove straight round to the doctors’ surgery, but on the way, Poppy’s lips became blue.

She said: “The doctors’ office got her back and we got into an ambulance straight to the JR.”

At the JR Hospital, doctors diagnosed Pneumococcal Meningitis, an aggressive form of the disease with few symptoms.

Mrs Connolly said: “I just could not understand it. My mum had actually told me to check for a rash in case it was meningitis, but this kind does not have that symptom.

“The hospital rang my husband and said to him to get to the hospital as soon as possible. There was nothing more they could do. My world fell apart.”

Poppy’s life support machine was turned off at around 7.30pm that night, surrounded by family.

Mrs Connolly said: “She was sat on mine and Gavin’s laps and they started unhooking the machines. And that was it. It was that fast.

Poppy’s older siblings Shane, 20, Ellie, 12, and five-year-old Daisy were then told of the news on May 24.

Mrs Connolly said: “Ellie was like a mini-mum to Poppy. It has just devastated her. And you can’t talk about her around Daisy because she gets angry.”

More than 400 people attended Poppy’s funeral at Holy Trinity Church in Headington Quarry.

She said: “If it was not for these people, our family and close friends, we would be in a much darker place right now.

“They get us functioning and I cannot describe how thankful I am to them.

“We just want to raise awareness now and let other parents know it’s not all about the rash.”

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk l The event at the pub on Saturday will raise money for Meningitis UK and include a raffle, jumble sale and barbeque from midday.

Any businesses who would like to donate raffle prizes or donate money, call Mrs Connolly on 01865 762372.