Rutland's MP has called for more protection for children with allergies in a debate at Westminster Hall, which was also attended by the parents of Benedict Blythe from Stamford.
Benedict died aged five, two years ago this month after suffering an allergic reaction to a snack he was given at school. Alicia Kearns said:
"Benedict's story is, however, not unique, and although parents do everything we can to keep our children safe, they need more support, particularly in the education system, where their children spend so much of their time. Worryingly, 18 per cent of food allergy reactions and 25 per cent of first-time anaphylactic reactions do occur in school, and that will only rise.
Between 1998 and 2018, 66 schoolchildren died from allergic reactions. And I think the point that was made about behaviour change and understanding change is really important, because when I was growing up, I don't remember discussions about allergies. I think they are on the rise, and I'm not an expert, so I won't pretend to give a medical diagnosis.
But I think it's very difficult when you are in a position of authority, when you did not grow up having to worry about these, to suddenly run an institution where this has to be of fundamental importance, because as we heard, at least two children in every school classroom have an allergy."
A petition by the Benedict Blythe Foundation collected over 13, 000 signatures calling for better protection for children with allergies in schools. Alicia Kearns says it deserves greater attention.
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