My fundraiser for tragic daughter Gillian

Aug 13 2008 By Vicki Eltis, Surrey Herald

Alice Austin

A mum is organising a fundraising wedding ball in memory of her pregnant daughter who died from meningitis.

Alice Austin, 68, is staging the event for her daughter Gillian Redman, of Green Lane, Hersham, who died in March 2004 aged 31. She was 26 weeks pregnant and her baby, called Grace, died a short while afterwards when her lungs failed.

The ball is being held at the Gold Cup Suite, at Sandown Park Race Course, on September 27, and gives women the chance to dust off their wedding dresses and wear them again.

Alice, 68, of West End Lane, Esher, is trying to beat the £16,000 raised last year and money will go towards Meningitis UK and Born Too Soon, a charity for the neonatal unit at Kingston Hospital.

Speaking about her tragedy, she said: "It was just awful. She contracted MRSA and septicaemia. I need people to know how meningitis can strike at any time, no matter what your age."

It was while shopping with her daughter-in-law, Jeni, for a wedding dress that Alice came up with the idea for the ball.

She said: "Gillian had often said she wanted to raise money for the neonatal unit and while looking for dresses we found them very expensive and thought it was a shame most people only got to wear their wedding dress for one day having spent so much money.

Money raised last year helped to fund two new monitors at the neonatal unit at Kingston Hospital. Money that went to Meningitis UK will go towards developing a vaccine to eradicate the disease.

Former DJ celebrity David 'Kid' Jenson will be special guest and the £60 ticket includes a three-course meal, live band Soul'd Out, a raffle and an auction.

Gillian gave birth to a son, Tom, in 2001, who was born 10 weeks prematurely and is now a healthy seven-year-old.

For details about the ball call 01372 819640 or visit www.weddingball.co.uk