A Gomersal woman who raised thousands of pounds for meningitis research is remembering her daughter's sudden death from the disease.
Alison MacGrath will plant a cherry tree in memory of her "bubbly and outgoing" 15-year-old old daughter Christina Irwin who was killed by meningitis ten years ago.
Christina's tragic death just 36 hours after falling ill at a Christmas party left Ms MacGrath devastated - but devoted her to raising awareness of the killer disease.
She formed Gambol - Gomersal Assists Meningitis research to the Benefit Of Life - with family and friends and with their help set about raising thousands of pounds for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
They have since raised around £20,000 for the charity, which funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia and to improve survival rates and outcomes through education.
Ms MacGrath, of Craven Lane, is now knowledgeable about meningitis, but said she knew little about it when Christina, who attended St John Fisher High School in Dewsbury, fell ill.
"It started with what we thought was a virus. There was no rash and no reaction to light. It was the stiffening of the joints that was the first indication followed by the rash," she said.
She said Christina had become slightly disorientated, walking in the wrong direction to the bathroom, but no-one realised this was another symptom of the disease.
Within four hours of the rash appearing Christina had died in hospital of meningococcal disease, the most virulent strain.
Ms MacGrath, who has a 20-year-old son, Shane, said she felt utterly powerless following Christina's death and turned to the Meningitis Research Foundation.
"They said the best thing I could do was help them raise awareness of meningitis, to tell people about the symptoms. It has helped me deal with my grief."
Gambol has staffed meningitis awareness stands at events, handing out literature and talking to people about personal experiences of the disease.
"It's not always easy to answer all the questions because it can still feel quite raw, but I just want people to know about this disease," said Ms MacGrath.
Since Christina's death Ms MacGrath and friends and family have completed a succession of fundraising feats for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
They have included a parachute jump by Christina's cousin Natasha Kelly and a rugby match at Gomersal Middle School in which the players dressed in frocks.
In 2003 Christina's best friend Lindsay Rawlings, whom she met at Yorkshire Mixture Majorettes, completed the arduous Inca Trail trek to the once lost city of Machu Picchu in Peru, raising £7,500 for the foundation.
I would like to thank the people of Gomersal, because without their support we could not have done all this," said Ms MacGrath.
"Christina was a loyal and good friend. I realised since her death that she touched many more people's lives than I was aware of.
"Nothing will change the fact that nothing will bring her back, but the work has helped me make more sense of the situation."
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