A CLOSE friend of a Caerwent teenager who died of Toxic Shock Syndrome has created a portrait in her memory as part of an awareness campaign.

The first week of the 13 days awareness campaign took place last week to raise the profile of the symptoms of TSS after Natasha Scott-Falber died aged 14 on February 14, 2013, from using her first tampon.

The family's campaign backed by the Free Press launched with a 5km fun run on February 14 and included a 120 mile cycle ride from Burnham to Caerwent.

Emily Southam, 17, a sixth former at Wyedean School, was one of Natasha's best friends and held an art show at the Portskewett Village Hall on February 20 and 21 in which she showcased a sketch of the musical teenager. The portrait was the centre piece to Ms Southam’s 18 piece exhibition of her GCSE and A-Level artwork.

Ms Southam, said: "Tash always liked looking through my art -it was a way I thought I could raise awareness and money for the campaign. I went through a book of photographs of Tash - I liked all of them in the book but I choose the picture with her smile as that is the thing most people miss about her.”

The event was attended by more than 50 people and raised just under £200.

A music marathon was also held at Wyedean School on Friday and saw performances by the Wyedean Gospel Choir. The day was live streamed to around 700 on YouTube.

It also featured a duet from Mandy Scott, Natasha’s mother and Daniel Falber, 19, Natasha’s brother, who performed 'Who will love me as I am' from the musical Side Show. The song was a sentimental song as Daniel and Natasha performed this together and won at the Wyedean School Eisteddfod.

Mrs Scott said: "It's all going really well. All the events have been well attended.

"I'm having a lot of conversations with people about TSS and getting the symptoms across."

She added: "An awful lot of people are coming up to me who have either had TSS or know someone who has. I'm very interested in these people coming forward as we've been told it is so rare - are they coming to the events because they have been affected or are there more people than we thought affected by this?"

The symptoms of TSS normally begin with a sudden high fever and other symptoms then develop. Further symptoms can include vomiting, a sunburn-like skin rash, diarrhoea, fainting or feeling faint, muscle aches, dizziness and confusion.

The family will be singing ‘We will remember her smile,’ a song they wrote in memory of Natasha at the gala concert tomorrow (thurs) at Newport Centre, which will become National Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness Day and would have been Natasha’s 17th birthday. The Wurzels will also be performing at the concert.

The family is offering 100 tickets for the concert to Free Press and Argus readers at half price (£6).

Visit the website tssaware.org.uk and go to ‘ticket sales’ where you will see a box titled ‘argus’. Enter the special code ‘natasha’ to order and pay via PayPal. An e-ticket will be sent to you by email.