ENERGETIC walkers and cyclists joined in a Weekend to Remember for meningitis victim Tyffany Taylor.

Nine-year-old Tyffany died at her family home in Elton Crescent, Wheatley, soon after being taken ill with a sore throat and a cough in December last year.

Her parents, Donna and Ashley Taylor, led 150 walkers on a scenic ten-mile tour on Saturday from the King and Queen pub in Wheatley where a fun day was held yesterday.

Tyffany's godmother, Lynda Earl, and close family friend Dave Aston also organised a 90-mile bike ride from the Heyford Hill roundabout to Portsmouth for 15 cyclists. They took eight-and-a half-hours to do the gruelling run.

All the proceeds from the weekend will go to the Meningitis Research Foundation, which works with families affected by meningitis, to raise funds for research into its prevention, detection and treatment.

Mrs Taylor said: "It's going really well. Most people have raised at least £100 and one of the bikers hopes to collect more than £700. This only started as a little thing, but it's got bigger and bigger." and everyone has really helped out and chipped in."

Tyffany, who was one of three sisters, died the week before Christmas from meningococcal disease and septicaemia - the blood-poisoning form of meningitis.

Her death sent shock waves through the village and Clive Hallett, the headteacher of Wheatley Primary School, remembered her as "an absolutely wonderful child with a little magic about her".

Despite their loss, her parents have devoted a great deal of their time to support the work of the foundation.

Donations in Tyffany's name can be made to the Meningitis Research Foundation, 13 High Street, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2AE.

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