Fitting farewell to brave Meggie (From Free Press Series)

Fitting farewell to brave Meggie

MORE than 100 people turned out to celebrate the life of little Meghan Batrouni at her funeral last week.

One hundred and forty people, plus family, attended the service which was held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Magor.

Fifteen-year-old Meghan, from Magor, died of intercerebral haemorrhages, after overcoming the non-contagious pneumococcal septicemia and meningitis.

Known affectionately as Meggie, the youngster who attended Sheilings School, a special needs school in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, has left a big impression on everyone who knew her.

A close friend of the family, said: "The service was a powerfully moving experience, which summed up what Meghan was about. She was a very spiritually minded little girl."

Meghan had fallen ill at the end of December last year, and was taken to the University Hospital of Wales where she was successfully treated for pneumococcal septicemia and meningitis, which her family were assured is non-contagious.

Sadly, due to having a condition called Evans Syndron - which is a rare blood disorder - Meghan suffered multiple intercerebral haemorrhages on the brain, and died.

Meghan's mum, Vanessa, now plans to raise money for the several charities that played a part in her daughter's life: Bristol and South West heart Circle; LATCH at Llandough hospital; Sheilings School in Thornbury; Theatr Ffynno; and Chepstow Mencap.