The memory of a 15-year-old girl who died of meningitis is to be celebrated with a charity rugby match.

Alison MacGrath will stage the game this Sunday with the help of family and friends to boost awareness about the disease which killed her daughter Christina Irwin.

During the three years since Christina's death, more than £11,500 has been collected in her name for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Ms MacGrath, of Craven Lane, Gomersal, said: "When Christina died I lost a good friend and I still feel an enormous need to raise money to fund research into this dreadful disease.

"My son Shane is my motivation to keep going. I never want to experience what I experienced with Christina.

"I keep plugging away with fundraising because people need to be aware of the disease and how to spot the symptoms.

"I always say that if in doubt get it checked out. I'm a great believer in mums' intuition - we know when something is really wrong with our child."

Christina, who was a pupil at St John Fisher High School in Dewsbury, died within 36 hours of feeling poorly.

The disease was first diagnosed as a virus because she was not suffering from stiff joints or reacting to bright light.

Together with Christina's friends and family, Ms MacGrath formed Gomersal Gambol - which stands for Gomersal Assists Meningitis Research to the Benefit Of Life - and last year held a fun day which raised £6,500.

Sunday's charity rugby match will be staged between Drighlington Under 13s, for whom Ms MacGrath's 13-year-old son Shane Irwin plays, and a team of dads and adults dressed in women's clothing from 2pm at Gomersal Middle School. It will be followed with a barbecue and charity auction at the Bankfield Inn.

Lots for auction will include a football signed by past and present stars at Leeds United - including Jack Charlton - and signed rugby shirts from the Bradford Bulls, Huddersfield Giants and Halifax Blue Sox.

Players in the game will be collecting sponsorship and home-made programmes will be sold to raise money.

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