Student Aaron Mills was described by his family as a ‘shining light’
A ‘kind and generous’ teenager told his mum that he had a headache then tragically died just five days later.
Aaron Mills, described by his family as a ‘shining light’, had moved to Liverpool to study last September. He had successfully finished his first term on a football science degree at Liverpool John Moores University, with ambitions to work for his beloved Liverpool FC in the future.
But when he travelled back to Kidderminster in December to visit his family, Aaron became poorly. The 18-year-old began feeling unwell shortly after he celebrated his dad’s 50th birthday though the signs didn’t appear concerning initially.
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His 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 continued: “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 was taken to hospital on December 30, where doctors identified that he had contracted meningitis, particularly a form of Meningococcal group B (MenB) bacteria, reports the Liverpool Echo. Aaron’s health rapidly worsened and he sadly passed away on January 3.
The UK Health Security Agency states that MenB bacteria can trigger severe, potentially fatal conditions including meningitis. Living amongst numerous new individuals in communal accommodation such as university halls heightens the likelihood of the bacteria responsible for meningococcal disease transmission.
Anthony continued: “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.”
He explained the sudden severity: “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.”
When speaking about his son’s character, Anthony said: “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’s passing left the family heartbroken, though they sought ways to honour his legacy. They agreed to organ donation and approximately 300 mourners attended his funeral, each wearing a Liverpool top in memory of him.
The young man also held a season ticket at his local club, Kidderminster Harriers. The club honoured him following his death with a standing applause in the 18th minute and presented Aaron’s friends with a signed shirt bearing “AARON 18” on the back.
His mum and dad then questioned why Aaron hadn’t received full vaccination protection. While the Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) jab is routinely administered in schools – which Aaron had received – he hadn’t been given the MenB vaccine, as this isn’t standard practice for young people.
Following the meningitis cases in Kent earlier this year, Anthony began corresponding with MPs regarding this gap in provision and managed to arrange a meeting with Sharon Hodgson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Health and Social Care. The government subsequently agreed to make the MenB vaccine available this summer to Year 13 pupils and those under 25 who will be commencing university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time this autumn.
Friends and family are now organising a 100-mile charity run, taking place over five days in September, setting off from Aggborough Stadium in Kidderminster on Wednesday, 16 September at 9am and finishing at Anfield on Sunday, 20 September.
Close family friend Shaun McEntee has committed to completing the entire route himself, while many of Aaron’s friends and family will be running and/or cycling various sections alongside him.
Some participants will join for the final stretch to Anfield, with staff and students from LJMU linking up at Byrom Point to run through the city centre to the ground, 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 both 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.”
To contribute to the memorial fund for Aaron, you can donate here.


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