LAST YEAR, Kerrie Davies’ daughter contracted meningitis and the family came face to face with the consequences of the infection.

Now, with her daughter back at school, Kerrie and a team of runners are doing the Cardiff half marathon to raise awareness and funds for those who weren’t as lucky.

In 2012, Kerrie’s daughter Erin, aged eight, was found to have bacterial meningitis. She had emergency brain surgery and was in hospital for more than six weeks.

Ms Davies said: “It was a very stressful time. It was very emotional, your worst nightmare as a parent.”

Erin has made a full recovery and has just started Year 5 at Clytha Primary School. “The emotional scars will be there forever,” said the mother of three. “When we came out of the hospital, it was still all very new and we were unsure about why it had happened to us.

“The Meningitis Trust was a great support to us. They were there at the end of the phone when we needed it.

“I wanted to give something back, so a group of friends and family decided to run and raise as much money and awareness about meningitis.”

The group, called Erin’s Running Girls, began training in May. Ms Davies has run a half marathon before but, for many of the group, this is their first run.

Kerrie’s mother and sister are part of the group, as well as friends and other mums from the school.

Ms Davies said: “It really hit home that it can happen to anybody. She’d never had a day off school in her life and then, bam, she’s hit with this.”

The team initially planned to raise £600 but the current total on the online fundraising page is more than £1,250.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with the support. The sponsorship has been amazing.

“I’m just excited to do it and take in the atmosphere.”

Friends and family, including Erin, will be supporting the team in Cardiff on Sunday.

To support Erin’s team go to justgiving.com/teams/erinsrunninggirls

Anyone who needs advice about meningitis can go to meningitis-trust.org