THE family of a Kent teenager who died from meningitis have raised an incredible £60,000 in his memory for research into the condition.

Kieran Clark, of Hurstwood, Chatham, a former Chatham Grammar School student, was just 19 when he was struck by a fatal strain of meningitis. He died within hours of developing symptoms.

His family were understandably distraught. But within weeks they had decided to channel all their energies into raising money for the Meningitis Trust. His parents. Linda and Geoff, and his brother, Glenn, have regularly organised fund-raising events and, four years on, they have raised the £60,000 sum.

They have been helped by friends and relatives, including Kieran's grandmother Kathleen Clark. She said: "It all started at Kieran's funeral. Everyone who wanted to send flowers was asked to send money instead and from that we collected £300. Soon after the money came snowballing in."

Since the teenager's death in 1997, the family has organised numerous charity events including coffee mornings, balls and taking part in the Flora Light Women's Challenge.

And every year they are able to send lump sums of cash to the trust.

Mrs Clark, who lives at the Foord Almshouses in Priestfields, Rochester, added: "It has helped raising money because we feel like we are helping in some way."