FRIENDS and family of a Bournemouth schoolgirl who died of meningitis will undertake a major challenge today in her memory.

A team of 28 of Connie Moore's closest friends and family will take part in the Bupa London 10,000 run today to raise funds for Meningitis Research Foundation.

Connie, a 16-year-old student at Bournemouth School for Girls, died of bacterial meningitis on January 19, 2014.

Since then, Team Connie, has seen more than 50 people undertake a challenge in support of the runners, who are raising funds for MRF.

One member of the team, Callum McHale, took on the challenging Three Peaks Hike in September 2014, raising £1,614 in memory of his cousin.

Connie's mum, Kathleen said: “Connie was a healthy and active teenager, she was my life.

"Losing Connie so suddenly was devastating for me, our whole family and all of our friends. We miss her every second of every day. The support I have received over the last 16 months has been unbelievable, everyone has been very kind and I feel lucky in that respect to have received so much love and support.

"The amount raised so far in Connie’s name is amazing and I can’t thank everyone enough, as it helps me a little to know that there are so many people that continue to hold Connie in mind.

"It’s so important that charities like MRF are supported to ensure that the research and education continues to minimise the risk of this devastating illness destroying other families lives.”

Megan Ayling, Connie’s best friend said: “I'll never ever be able to state how much Connie meant to me and how much I miss her every single day.

"She was the most beautiful, incredible, bubbly girl I've ever met and, as we did last year, running the 10k is one of the ways we want to make her proud, although it will never be as proud as she made us."

Christopher Head, chief executive at MRF, said: “We are extremely grateful to Team Connie for once again putting together such a huge team of runners in her memory.

"Sadly, Connie’s family and friends know better than anyone how quickly this disease strikes and the devastation it leaves behind. The money they raise will make a huge difference and enable us to continue our work into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia."

To sponsor Team Connie go to justgiving.com/remember/99702/Connie-Moore