SCHOOLS are to be given presentations on Toxic Shock Syndrome thanks to funding from a Caerwent family whose daughter died of the condition.

Natasha Scott-Falber, 14, died on February 14, 2013, from TSS after using her first tampon. Her family are campaigning to raise awareness of the symptoms and have set up TSS Aware which will fund four TSS sessions in secondary schools.

They have now teamed up with Ithaca, a education and training company, who will be going into four schools in South Wales this summer term to educate children on TSS. They will be targeting Year 9 pupils from secondary schools and will be going into schools in Monmouthshire, Newport and Cardiff.

Rhys Thomas, co-director of Ithaca, a former teacher at Wydean School said: "I think one of the key things is to raise awareness of the symptoms.

"If it is on your mind it could possibly be prevented. It is important to have the right balance of education and prevention -it highlights how important education is and the affect a simply assembly can have.

"TSS is a serious topic which we need to talk about and take the embarrassment out of it and the stigma away from it."

He added: "As we knew Tash we have been involved from the start. Unfortunately working within schools, it is few and far between, but children dying within schools does happen. It absolutely shocks the whole school from the immediate family and friends to students and staff."

The TSS Aware will fund the first four school sessions and Ithaca are looking for businesses who would like to sponsor sessions. The sessions will include videos from Mandy Scott, Natasha's mother, and Dan Falber, Natasha's brother.

Mrs Scott said: "We are all excited about it. We really hope it will spread from the initial four schools.

"We felt that 13-year-olds were the best age to target. It will be presented in a way which is acceptable by teenagers - it won't be embarrassing but there will be some laughs and learning."

She added: "Everybody needs to know about it we need to get rid of the taboo."

According to Toxic Shock Syndrome Information Service (TSSIS), around half the reported cases of TSS are associated with women using tampons, but it can also be caused by infections following burns, boils, insect bites or following surgery. The condition can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

For more information visit http://tssaware.org.uk/ or www.ithaca-education.co.uk