The heartbroken parents of a bubbly little girl who died two days after her first birthday have remembered their daughter as the "happiest child they have ever known'.
Maddison Rose Patricia Halliday was taken to hospital in October when she became feverish, sick and not eating properly.
Tragically, she never returned home as she died of septicaemia - bacteria in the blood infecting the lining of the brain.
Little Maddison had shown symptoms including feeling drowsy, being unresponsive and floppy, a fever, and refusing feeds.
Parents Josh and Shannon remembered their daughter as “bubbly and bouncy” to the Manchester Evening News.
Josh, 22, said: "She was a bouncy child and followed us everywhere. She was very happy and content right from the beginning.
"She was an absolute joy and loved dancing and singing. She was just amazing and was the happiest child we'd ever met.
"She was really cheeky too, and would always give the dogs her food when you weren't looking. We have got so many supportive friends and family around us.
“The doctors told us that she wouldn't make it through to the morning and that we may have to make the decision to turn off the life support.
“We were desperate for them to do what they could to keep her alive.
"She wasn't herself on the Thursday at all. It just felt like something was really off. You know when your own child isn't themselves at home.
"She wasn't eating, or doing anything normal. And we would shout her and she wouldn't respond, she was dazed and distant."
"We started ringing family at around 11am on the Friday for them to say their goodbyes to her."
After initially being treated at North Manchester General, Maddison was then rushed to Manchester Children's Hospital and was hooked up to life support.
Her parents said she had four cardiac arrests and rapidly deteriorated.
Manchester Coroner’s Office is currently investigating.
A spokesperson for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: “We wish to again offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Maddison’s family.
“We recognise this is an extremely difficult time for the family and we will continue to support them.”
A fundraiser launched in the wake of the tot’s death to pay for her funeral raised more than £5,000.
Organiser Martine Smith wrote: “Just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated to the go fund me and shared the link.
“The family will be able to give Maddison the send-off she deserves. No one should ever have to attend their own child’s funeral and my heart breaks for them.”
