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£50k raised in memory of little Bhavini

18/ 4/2008

A COUPLE whose baby died after contracting a killer strain of meningitis 20 years ago have raised more than £50,000 for charity — more than doubling their target!

Dilip and Daksha Mistry, of Dukinfield wanted to donate £21,000 to the Meningitis Trust to mark what would have been daughter Bhavini’s 21st birthday.

The 11-month-old was struck down by meningococcal meningitis in 1988. She died less than 24 hours later.

A series of fund-raising events took place in recent weeks culminating in a charity ball, buffet and disco dedicated to the tot.

The target was smashed in one fell swoop last month when 250 people took part in a 10-mile sponsored walk which began in Ashton.

But cash has continued to roll in with the family finally handing over a cheque for £50,000 to the Meningitis Trust at the glittering ball in Oldham.

Daksha said: "Since Christmas 2007, my husband and I set a target to raise maximum awareness about meningitis.

"As soon as people heard of our campaign, many members of the community decided to organise their own events to help us gather the funds to reach our target.

"We cannot thank the local community enough for all the support we have received in the past few months.

Healthy

"Bhavini was a healthy little girl in the morning. At lunchtime she was sick and in the afternoon she became very lethargic.

"In the early evening the doctor diagnosed flu symptoms and prescribed her antibiotics but by 8pm a rash broke out which initially looked like measles.

"It then spread into blotches on her skin. We took her to casualty but despite tremendous efforts by staff she passed away after midnight — just four weeks before her first birthday.

"The Meningitis Trust help people whose lives have been devastated. We are delighted to have doubled our original target of £21,000."

A spokesman for the Meningitis Trust said: "These fundraising events were truly inspirational; from walkers and swimmers to bag packers, they have all shown incredible community spirit and dedication.

"We are all truly grateful it was such a success."