A NATIONAL campaign to raise awareness of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) was launched earlier this month at the Wales Millennium Centre.

The campaign was set up by the family of Caerwent teenager Natasha Scott-Falber who passed away after contracting the infection from using a tampon for the first time.

Saturday 10th January marked the official launch of the campaign which will span 13 days commencing on Saturday 14th February.

The WAWWA Musical Theatre Company performed a set while Natasha's family spoke about TSS and its symptoms.

Across the 13 days there will be a series of national events to raise awareness of the rare but life-threatening infection.

There will be flash mobs, synchronised dances, a 5k fun run, an art exhibition and numerous coffee mornings held for the cause.

Mum of Natasha, Mandy Scott, said: "The launch at Wales Millennium Centre was amazing. 1,500 to 2,000 people were in the building and at any one time 300 to 400 people were watching our launch.

"WAWWA Musical Theatre Company are an amazing group and on Saturday night people commented that they felt like they had been watching a West End performance.

"Both Daniel (Natasha's brother) and myself spoke briefly about Tash, the campaign and TSS.

"We handed out leaflets, campaign information and symptom cards. We spoke to lots of people including six who want to put on events, a number of people who want to take information into their place of work and raise awareness and five people who had been directly affected by TSS and Sepsis.

"The WMC is a wonderful venue and the staff there treated us like royalty. It truly was the best possible way to launch our campaign."

For more information about the campaign, visit: http://tssaware.org.uk/">http://tssaware.org.uk/