THE family of little Maizie Bunch should have been toasting her first birthday today. Instead they are celebrating raising £10,000 for the hospital that cared for her before she died.

When Maxine and Paul Bunch, of Sutton Road, Rainham, handed over the cheque to Guy's Hospital it was an event tinged with both sadness and joy.

Ever since their daughter died in May, from meningitis, has been fund-raising tirelessly in an effort to highlight the disease and ensure that Maizie is not forgotten.

Alison Plummer, Maxine's cousin, said: "We wanted everyone to remember Maizie's name and to get some sort of machine to help others with the disease."

Initially, the family had hoped to raise around £5,000 for the hospital and staff who had tried to save their baby. But the public took the appeal to heart and the money began pouring in.

Supporters of the appeal have taken part in fun days, a pool-and-darts night, a quiz night, a sponsored swim and a head-shave.

The money will be used to buy two cots bearing Maizie's name and probably equipment to help other children suffering from meningitis.