Liverpool fan, 18, dies simply days after telling mum he had a headache

Gifted player, coach and referee, Aaron Mills, 18, was a Liverpool John Moores University student and ‘shining light’ who died days after complaining of a headache

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A teenager who complained to his mum of a headache tragically passed away five days later. Aaron Mills, 18, was a “shining light” who “always made people welcome”, according to his father Anthony.

A huge Liverpool FC fan like his dad, Aaron was overjoyed when he relocated to Liverpool in September of the previous year. He had embarked on a football science degree at Liverpool John Moores University and aspired to join the coaching team at his cherished club.

He was also a gifted player, coach and referee. The first term went smoothly for the student, who resided at Byrom Point student halls in Liverpool city centre. However, when he returned home to Kidderminster in December to visit his family, Aaron became sick.

The teenager began to feel poorly shortly after surprising his dad by showing up at his 50th birthday celebration back home, but the symptoms didn’t initially seem concerning, reports the Liverpool Echo.

His father Anthony recalled: “We partied, we sang together, danced together, it was brilliant. Then on December 29, he was feeling a bit groggy, that’s all.

“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 took 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 rushed to hospital on December 30, where doctors discovered he had contracted meningitis, specifically a strain of Meningococcal group B (MenB) bacteria. Aaron’s condition rapidly worsened and he passed away on January 3.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, MenB bacteria can trigger severe, life-threatening conditions including meningitis. Mixing with numerous new people in communal living environments such as university accommodation heightens the risk of the bacteria responsible for meningococcal disease spreading.

Anthony added: “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.

“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.”

Speaking about what his son was like, Anthony told the ECHO: “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 death was utterly heartbreaking, yet the family said they have attempted to find ways his memory could live on. They permitted his organs to be donated and approximately 300 people attended his funeral, all sporting a Liverpool shirt in his honour.

The teenager also held a season ticket at Kidderminster Harriers, his local club. The team paid their respects when he passed away with a standing ovation in the 18th minute and gifted Aaron’s mates a signed jersey bearing “AARON 18” on the reverse.

His parents then focused on the matter of why Aaron had not been vaccinated. A jab for Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) is routinely provided in schools, which Aaron had received.

Yet he had not been given one for MenB and this vaccination is not systematically offered to young people.

Following the meningitis outbreak in Kent earlier this year, Anthony began writing to MPs about this inconsistency and arranged a meeting with Sharon Hodgson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Health and Social Care. The government has agreed to provide the MenB vaccine this summer for Year 13 students and under 25s who will be starting university as undergraduates or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn.

Friends and family are now planning a 100-mile charity run, spanning five days in September, from Aggborough Stadium in Kidderminster on Wednesday, September 16 at 9am to Anfield on Sunday, September 20.

Close family friend, Shaun McEntee, has bravely decided to tackle the entire challenge. Many of Aaron’s friends and family will be joining Shaun, either running or cycling parts of the route.

Some will join for the final leg to Anfield. Pausing at Byrom Point, staff and students from LJMU will join the run through the city centre and on to Anfield, 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 seeking formal backing for the challenge from LJMU and Anfield.

He stated: “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.”

You can contribute to a fund in memory of Aaron here.