THE aunt of a toddler who died from meningitis says she has been amazed by the support from Mid Cheshire residents for a fundraising event she is organising.
As reported last month, Northwich landlady Jo Higham will be holding a raffle and auction on Friday, March 4, to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation after her three-year-old niece Jessica Elizabeth Barbet died just hours after being diagnosed with meningococcal septicaemia last month.
Her family vowed to raise awareness about meningitis in Jessica's memory, and Jo will hold the events at the Leigh Arms in Little Leigh, which she runs with her partner Dave, to help raise money for vital research.
Jessica was rushed to hospital from her North Wales home after her mum, Jo's sister Rebecca Higham, noticed a severe rash on her body. She was later taken to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where she died.
Jo, 30, who has lived in Mid Cheshire for five years, said she was touched by the support: 'The auction will be held at the pub and we have got an auctioneer from Marshalls in Knutsford. Everyone has been great - we have got 10 people getting their heads shaved and two lads having their bodies waxed.'
Items on offer at the auction include a day boat trip for 10 people, a one-hour flight in a light aircraft and signed football shirts. The auction starts at 8pm.
The pub will also hold a physic night on Monday, March 7.
