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Grace’s Weekend raises over £4,000 in her memory

A FUNDRAISING weekend has raised over £4,000 in memory of a popular Lincolnshire girl who died earlier this year.

Grace Merridan was just 15 when she was struck down by meningoencephalitis - an acute swelling of the brain and its lining – in February.

Her mother Carolyn held a four day fundraising event at The Bull, in Bracebridge Heath, to raise money for Meningitis UK and The Encephalitis Society.

Carolyn, who owns the pub, said: "Grace had lived in the village all her life and was well-known with the regulars. Everyone was glad to support the fundraising weekend and we were pleased to raise £4,050 in total.

"Grace died from a combination of encephalitis and meningitis so we're keen to support the work of both charities to raise awareness and stop people from going through what we went through."

Live music, an auction, quiz and hog roast ensured the fundraiser, held on the May bank holiday, was a success and Carolyn now plans to make "Grace's Weekend" an annual event.

The village was shocked when the popular youngster fell ill in January, initially acting lethargic and complaining of feeling sick.

Carolyn rushed her to Lincoln City Hospital when her temperature shot up, where doctors suspected meningoencephalitis and treated her with antibiotics straightaway.

She was transferred to a specialist paediatric unit at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, where she contracted swine flu.

Grace sadly she fell into a coma and died two weeks later, leaving friends and family devastated.

Steve Dayman, the chief executive of Meningitis UK, collected a cheque for £1,250 from Carolyn and said: "Everyone's efforts in memory of Grace are really remarkable. To raise over £4,000 in one weekend is no mean feat.

"What happened to Grace sadly illustrates the speed at which diseases like meningitis can strike, with very few symptoms to distinguish it from more common illnesses.

"The devastation experienced by her family and friends reinforces the importance of finding a vaccine sooner rather than later."

To make a donation in memory of Grace, or for more information on meningitis and its associated diseases, visit www.meningitisuk.org

Comments

charlotte Bowles
Posts: 3

new comment
Reply #3 on : Sat October 30, 2010, 14:58:59

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Grace was such a joyful individual who wanted to make the most of every moment...always laughing with the customers as well with myself and the other members of staff....not a day goes by where i dont expect her to come racing outside or into the bar with that smile on her face...but shifts there are made better by the sweet photo hanging behind the bar...she will always be loved and missed by everyone that knew her and we all look forward to 'Grace's weekend' becoming an annual event.

vicki blackwell
Posts: 3

new comment
Reply #2 on : Wed October 27, 2010, 18:19:15

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Grace was truly a wonderful girl ,i am so proud to have known her ,The bull is,nt the same without her,there is a photo behind the bar of her which shows grace with a beaming smile that she will be remembered by .

Margaret Binns
Posts: 3

new comment
Reply #1 on : Tue October 26, 2010, 11:54:31

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Me and Billy didn't know Grace for long but she was a lovely girl she always came and spoke to us about anything and everything and I know she was getting excited about the hairdressing course she was getting ready to start. Carolyn, Katherine and Owen have all been very strong to us but I'm sure in private their feelings and emotions must show themselves.

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