THE family of a bubbly 11-year-old from Kidderminster who lost her battle against a respiratory illness are planning to raise funds for a charity set up in her memory.

Mum, Lesley Beard, of Queen Elizabeth Road, together with her daughter, Sheena Williams, are set to hold a series of events to raise cash for the Stevie-Marie Appeal.

The charity was set up by the family following the death of Comberton Middle School pupil, Stevie-Marie Beard, who lost her fight against Bronchiectasis in May, this year.

The first event is a sponsored pub crawl in wedding outfits for National Wedding Dress day on Saturday. Proceeds from the event will go to the appeal to help grant wishes for terminally ill children.

Stevie-Marie made a series of requests to her family before she died, including a trip to Butlins and a laptop computer to enable her to keep in touch with her friends while in hospital. She died, however, before her family had managed to raise the funds. The family are now keen that Stevie's memory lives on by enabling other terminally ill children to see their dreams become a reality.

Among events due to be held are a spiritualist evening, a charity football match and a Christmas party at the Gainsborough House Hotel, Kidderminster on Saturday, December 2.

Sheena said: "I'm sure if Stevie was with us today she would have loved to have taken part in some of these events."

To make a donation to the Stevie-Marie Appeal or to buy tickets for the Christmas party, contact Sheena on 07977 479611.