A CHARITY fund in memory of a schoolgirl who died of a rarely fatal strain of meningitis has reached a landmark £50,000.
Sandon schoolgirl Jodie Willan, 17, had been suffering from tonsillitis in April 2010, but when she developed a headache and failed to show signs of improvement she was rushed to hospital where tests confirmed she had contracted viral meningitis.
Doctors believed Jodie, who was studying for her A-levels, would make a full recovery but her condition deteriorated rapidly before further scans revealed she was brain-dead.
Her kidneys, pancreas and liver were donated to four recipients, and a fund in her memory was set up by Jodie's brother Leo, 22, to raise awareness of the disease.
It has now raised more than £50,000 for the Meningitis Trust charity.
Her best friend, Boston Mace, 20, said: "We thought £5,000 was going to be tough, so to have raised over ten times that amount in just three years is incredible.
"It is thanks to everyone's generosity and support that we have reached this very special target in such a short space of time."
A variety of fundraising activities have taken place including a concert held at The Sandon School, and larger events such as trekking the Great Wall of China and the London Marathon.
Boston, who took part in the Three Peaks Challenge earlier this year as part of the fundraising, said it was the hardest of all the challenges.
"Unfortunately, it ended up being on the hottest weekend of the year, meaning an already difficult challenge of climbing Britain's three tallest mountains in 24 hours was made even harder," he said.
"But remembering Jodie and all the kind people who sponsored us kept me going.
"When you remember the reason you're doing it, it isn't hard at all – Jodie was such a special person.
"She was very helpful and would do anything for anyone.
"Although it's still hard to understand she's gone, I'm so grateful for all the memories we had and am very proud to be able to call her my best friend."
Her father, Keith Willan, 53, of Boreham, added: "It is just over three years since we lost Jodie.
"Originally, we set the trust fund up as we did not want everyone at the funeral to spend money on flowers, instead we had contributions to the trust.
"We are proud of all Jodie's friends and family, and the fundraising activities they have organised."
Donations can be made at www.meningitis-trust.tributefunds.com/fund/Jodie+Willan For more information about meningitis visit www.meningitis-trust.org.
