A FAMILY will pay tribute to a beloved sister and daughter this month by fundraising for the charity that supported them after her death.

Beren Rowbotham, from Pontrilas, was just 10-years-old when she died from meningitis in April 2008.

Her family will be among the hundreds of walkers supporting the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) on its 140km 25th anniversary walk across the Pennines.

Beren's dad Dan, his partner Jen, son Zac, daughter Cendl and Cendl's boyfriend Matt will join walkers for one day of the week-long challenge.

It is the family's way of thanking the charity which has provided a support network for them since Beren's death.

Father Dan said: “Beren contracted meningococcal septicaemia in 2008. She was diagnosed with the disease by the ambulance staff and they began treatment immediately, transferring her to the Hereford Hospital whose A&E team responded with a passion to try and save her. The disease won and sadly Beren died four hours later.

“The family wanted to take part in this challenge as a way of raising funds for Meningitis Research Foundation so they can continue their work supporting other families affected by this disease and it seemed a fitting challenge to mark 25 years of their life saving research."

Dan is urging others to be aware of the symptoms of meningitis which he says is similar to the crossover between flu and a hangover.

Beren's symptoms were presented as toothache before a rash later developed.

The walk starts tomorrow (Friday) and will end with a research discovery day at the National Meningitis Reference Laboratories in Manchester.

Walkers will then be offered a guided tour around the MRF Genome Library project – a world first in medical research.

To sponsor the Rowbotham family visit justgiving.com/danrowbotham or text the code DJCZ99 to 70070 and enter a donation.