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MEMORIES of a baby girl who died of a terrible disease 21 years ago will be evoked at an event in Chipping Norton.

A charity ball at Chipping Norton cricket ground on Saturday, June 21, will not only celebrate the 21st anniversaries of both the Meningitis Trust and its Chipping Norton Support Group - it will also mark the 21st anniversary of the death of Sarah Drinkwater.

Sarah's parents, Maria and Paul Drinkwater, of Kingham, have been group members ever since she died of meningitis in 1987, aged only five-and-a-half months.

Maria said: "She was born a very healthy baby. She weighed eight pounds, 13 ounces. Meningitis just took over and she died in hours."

The group hopes to raise as much money as possible from the seventh ball it has held in aid of the trust.

Proceeds will go towards the trust's 24-hour helpline, on 0800 0281828, which offers meningitis sufferers professional counselling, financial grants, home visits, one-to-one contacts and community support.

Maria also wants to raise awareness of meningitis and the trust, which produces cards listing the disease's symptoms.

She said: "If your child becomes poorly, you've got more chance of recognising the symptoms of meningitis if you have one of the cards."

The ball will feature a champagne reception, jazz band, three-course evening meal, dancing to the Fab Beatles, a disco and a licensed bar until 2am.

Maria said: "I'm sure Sarah will be with us in spirit."

Sarah would have been the second oldest of four children, her siblings being Rachel, now aged 22, James, 19, and Amelia, five. Up to 500,000 people living in the UK have had either viral or bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening condition affecting the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal chord.

Symptoms include fever, cold hands and feet, vomiting, headache, a stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, joint or muscle pain, drowsiness and confusion.

Babies' symptoms include a dislike of being handled, pale and blotchy skin, an unusual cry and a blank, staring expression.

To book tickets, costing £60, telephone Maria on 01608 651272.

11:56am Thursday 1st May 2008

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