Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read Sara's fundraising page, and a huge thank you to those of you who donate to the deserving charity.

This site was set up by a good school and college friend of Sara's, Lisa (who works tirelessly running this site, we will be forever thankful), so thank you so much, you have been a great help and support in the preparation of SAZ FEST!

Sara died very tragically on March 19th 2009, at the young age of just 18 years and 2 weeks. 

For those who choose to read further, this is a little of Sara's story...

Sara had complained as a young child that she had not been given a gift in life. That everybody is good at something and she wasn't. She did not consider her beauty as a gift, it meant little to Sara. But in fact she was, I noticed that Sara could love unconditionally. She made everyone feel special in their own unique way. She was never pretentious, and showed great empathy and understanding towards others, for a child of her years. She cared deeply for others, always putting them first, and laughed her way right through life. She was a friend to everybody, and the best daughter and sister you could ever wish for, aren't these the greatest gifts of all? 

Sara was in perfect health the previous day to her death. She was attending an open day at Liverpool University, where she hoped to gain a place, which would hopefully lead to her dream job of becoming a child protection officer. 

The day was exciting, we toured the halls and explored the campus. She even exchanged numbers with a few other hopeful applicants. Oh how excited she was to start the next stage of her life...

Sara did not seem herself and complained of feeling strange, she even fell asleep on the train on the journey home (which was not like Sara). It was my birthday that day, and for the first time ever I had been invited to a show by a friend. It was the first birthday I had ever spent without my family, it will be my biggest regret ever!!

Sara became very ill and I was told that she said she "didn't want to spoil my birthday" and she made the decision not to call to tell me how she was, as she knew I would have rushed home. When I returned home late that evening Sara had a temperature, and thought she had eaten something that hadn't agreed with her, never in a million years would I have imagined what was to come. I gave Sara paracetamol and stayed with her, until her fever had cooled. 

The next morning Sara's only complaint was "I'm not too good"! Yet she still got up to go to college; her private life had been difficult the week leading up to her death, and she hadn't wanted to miss any more college.

Sara collapsed at 8:10am and what unfolded within the next few hours blew my mind! At 11:25am, we were taken aside at the hospital and told that Sara was 'gravely ill'. Did we understand what that meant?! To go back in to the ward and look at my beautiful little girl who could possibly be dying?!

Her body was in septic shock and all her organs were shutting down. How could this be happening? I could hardly speak to Sara! The fear I was feeling was indescribable, and was showing in my voice! I was trying so hard not to frighten Sara, but I was certain that she knew how seriously ill she was.

We were told that Sara had a mass in her bowl. My first thought was 'Oh my god, she has cancer!'. Next we were told that Sara had no white blood cells, and they suspected Leukaemia! I couldn't take this information in, I kept thinking back to all the giggles the day before, and now Sara was fighting for her life. How can that happen? Her 18th birthday decorations were still up in the house. Surely this must be a nightmare, and any moment now, I will wake up and everything will be back to normal!

From that possible diagnosis, the doctors then came with "we think Sara has Meningococcal Meningitis and you may have missed the warning rash"! How could this be in only a few short hours?! Sara's body was failing and she was put on a life support on A&E, as there were no beds available in the ICU ward! Everything was stacked against her! We were given a piece of paper and asked for a list of all the names of the people that Sara had been in contact with! There were so many, where did we begin!? 

Very quickly, the doctors dismissed meningitis, which at the time we thought was some good news, some hope. As I had seen the photos of some that had survived. The lucky ones. Miracles happen to some don't they, we could only hope Sara received the miracle that she deserved.  

In the next breath came, "Sara has Pneumococcal Septicaemia". We had never even heard of it! What was it? It was a bacterial infection, that no medication could stop at this stage. It was only a matter of time before the illness took her from us.

Sara was certified dead at 8:25pm, that same evening. Less than 12 hours from arriving at the hospital. Sara had left a 14 year old sister, Stephanie, and a 12 year old brother, Christopher. 

As Sara's mum, I honestly thought I would die of a broken heart. I don't know how I have made it this far without our Sara. We are devastated as a family. The previous day, I had 3 of the happiest children you could ever wish to meet, and then...

Sara was described by many in her condolence books, as the most fun-loving, happy, caring, compassionate young women that you could ever have had the privilege to know. 

I guess everyone passing is an Angel for a short while, but Sara I believe was an Angel on earth, but now she very sadly has her wings. 

Sara will always be Our Very Special Angel!

Thank you again for taking the time to read about our beautiful daughters precious life. And thank you to anyone who chooses to donate. Any amount is appreciated, however big or small! If any money raised, just helps one family like ours, then it was worth all the tears on this page!

With Sara's 5th angel day slowly creeping up on us we would love to raise some money in Sara's memory for a cause that will help other bereaved families!

Child Bereavement UK is a shoulder to cry on for families such as ours and offer much needed support.

Sara's Mum Debbie - "Proceeds will go to Child Bereavement UK, which supports families and educates professionals when a child dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Sadly Chrysalis, a Bereavement counselling association, whom provided support to us, as a family, following the death of Sara, has since folded due to lack of funding, as it was a small charity based service. We have chosen Child Bereavement Uk, who are hoping to open an office in Runcorn around Christmas time, to help people in our local area, in a similar situation to us. I honestly don't know how we as a family would have got through without the amazing support of Richard Stafford, who even after funding was lost, still came in his own time. We will be eternally grateful to him, and can only hope that families like ours get the support that they need, in their darkest times."

We will update on here how much each item sells for!