Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I will be running the London Nike 10K race 2nd July in memory of Laura and to raise money for the Meningitus Trust. - Here is why:

FOR THE LOVE OF LAURA

11:00 - 01 June 2006

A Paignton girl who died within 24 hours of contracting meningitis has given others the chance of life by donating her organs to five people, including a critically ill baby with just 72 hours to live. Donor card-carrying Laura Jones, 18, from the Primley Park area of the resort, was about to enjoy her last day at Torquay Grammar School for Girls on Friday when she was taken seriously ill with a headache. She was given a doctor's appointment and then rushed to Torbay Hospital where frantic efforts to treat the virulent pneumococcal strain of the brain disease came to nothing. Laura, who was on the eve of taking her A-levels, was declared brain dead in the late evening at the hospital where she had been born, although her life support machine was not switched off until the following morning. Her mum Cathy Crocker said: "We always thought that if you reacted quickly there was a chance of pulling through, but sadly it wasn't the case this time. "Everyone at the hospital was absolutely fantastic. They did all they could." She revealed how her "caring, loving, homely and hard-working" daughter was determined to be a donor. "She told me: 'Mum, I want my parts to go because they will be no good to me.' " Dad Chris, who lives with his wife Alyson and Laura's stepbrothers Richard and Dan in Solihull, added: "It's a reflection of the type of person Laura was. She was just fantastic - a lovely girl." Laura was about to sit A-levels in media studies, RE and psychology before taking up a three-year degree course in criminology at Chester University, which would have included a year in the United States - possibly working for the FBl. She then planned to join the police working for a child protection team. Laura, who attended Collaton St Mary Primary School before passing her 11 Plus, had already secured two grade As and a B in her A/S-levels. Her place at Chester - one of just 70 chased after by 1,300 applicants - was guaranteed. Cathy, who lives at Primley Park with Laura's older sister Leigh and stepdad Peter, said: "Our girl was very focused. She always knew exactly what she wanted." The bright student had been planning to study in Swansea from September until her dad suggested she might want to try Chester. "She told me jokingly that she was only going there to keep her dad happy - and then she simply fell in love with the place. It's where she wanted to be," said Cathy. Laura had recently been working part-time at the Torbay Leisure Centre at Clennon Valley where she helped out in the bar and cafe. Before that she had been employed at WH Smith in Paignton. Boyfriend Paul Caparn said of his soul mate: "I have never known anybody so full of love and care. She was so special. I am so glad for the happiness she brought us all. She was my princess. She always will be. My thoughts are with her family." Dr Geoffrey Thould, of the Dartington-based Health Protection Agency, said there should be no public alarm in the wake of the tragedy. He stressed "This is not a matter which has any implications for public health." Laura's heart and lungs have been given to a 15-year-old boy at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Half of her liver went to an 18-month-old "critically ill" toddler who had been given just 72 hours to live if a donor had not been found. The other half of the liver went to a young adult, while a person with severe diabetes has benefited from her pancreas. The recipient of her kidneys is not known. Cathy said: "Laura was so laid back about things. Nothing ever stressed or phased her. She was as cool as a cucumber in all things. There wasn't a bad bone in her body. She and Leigh are the best girls a mum could wish for." She revealed how her daughter loved the colour pink, was devoted to her pet Persian cat Angel and since childhood had kept her favourite fluffy toy sheep - Sheepy -by her side. The funeral service will be at the Torquay Crematorium on Wednesday June 7 at midday. With her in the pink coffin will be the soft toy she insisted should never be washed. Donations should be sent to the Meningitis Trust, care of Co-operative Funeral Services, 22-32 Dartmouth Road, Paignton, TQ4 5AQ. Sister Leigh, 22, said: "One positive thing which can from all this is to raise awareness of the Meningitis Research Foundation. Laura was a beautiful girl in every way."

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