The family of a young farmer want to raise awareness of the devastation caused by sepsis after her fiancé only discovered how serious it was as she lay dying.
Hannah Brown, from Newton-le-Willows, North Yorkshire, died just two days after developing blood poisoning.
Sepsis is the immune system’s overreaction to an infection or injury - and it took the life of the 26-year-old, YorkshireLive report.
If not treated immediately, sepsis can result in organ failure and death. However, with early diagnosis, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Their interview comes days after Bafta award-winning actor Jason Watkins relived the night his two-year-old daughter died from the killer bug.
Hannah's boyfriend Ben Richardson only found out how deadly it was when he Googled the condition after she went into hospital in 2021.
Hannah worked as a farmer in Dufton, near Appleby, Cumbria with her fiancé and they have a baby daughter named Millie.
Ben said: "She was the most caring, hard working person you would ever met. Everything just turned upside down overnight, it was horrible.
"It didn't just turn mine and Millie's lives upside down it changed everyone's because everyone had to adapt. When Hannah was in hospital I Googled it [sepsis] and realised how serious it was."
Ben said Hannah was an "amazing" mum to their daughter.
Hannah's friend Di Harrison said: "It's so easy to get a little cut or something on yourself in farming. And obviously if it can happen to a fit, young lady like Hannah, it can happen to anyone."
Her sudden death from sepsis left the farming community across the north in shock, prompting family and friends to join forces with the UK Sepsis Trust to launch a campaign raising awareness of the symptoms and treatment of sepsis.
The campaign led to the making of a documentary which interviewed fiancé Ben, Hannah’s parents Martin and Val, spoke to friends at Westmorland County Show and captured how the farming community came together at her funeral, in Dufton. The film has now won an award.
On Tuesday, March 21, two years to the day after Hannah was admitted to hospital, Ben, Val and mother-in-law Dorne attended the Charity Film Awards at the ODEON Luxe, in Leicester Square, to see her story win a special People’s Choice prize. Ark Media CEO Phil Arkinstall said it has been a "privilege" to pick up the award on behalf of all those who had campaigned in Hannah’s memory.
He said: "It was an emotional night at the awards, not least because the film picked up a People’s Choice award – having been chosen by public vote – which illustrated how Hannah’s story had impacted on so many.
"We were approached by the UK Sepsis Trust back in August last year about creating something that captured how well-known and loved Hannah had been within the farming community, while also highlighted the shock caused by her sudden loss, and the importance of spreading awareness of sepsis."
Phil added: "We filmed it over two days last September, visiting places like the local Young Farmers Club, in Masham, who had been raising funds for UK Sepsis following her death, and found that everyone we talked to simply wanted to help spread the word about sepsis, and to talk fondly about Hannah. We are very proud of the film, and it was a real privilege to collect the award on behalf of everyone who campaigned in her memory."
Brian Davies, Fundraising Manager at UK Sepsis Trust, who collected the award with Phil, said: "The UK Sepsis Trust were delighted to win the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the Charity Film Awards for our farming campaign video that looks to explain the dangers and symptoms of sepsis, through the story of Hannah Brown.
"It was fitting to have some of Hannah’s family collect the award and is also fantastic recognition for the excellent job that Ark Media did in shooting and editing the film.
"The video has enabled the campaign to be featured on Global Radio, and both BBC and ITV regional news shows in the North of England.
"It also allowed the UK Sepsis Trust to seek financial support from NFU Mutual, which will allow for more resources to be developed to help show the agricultural community the dangers of sepsis that they need to consider, whilst going about their daily lives."
