A NURSERY nurse is putting her best foot forward on a marathon in memory of her nephew who died of meningitis at just 10 months.

Mum-of-three Marilyn Coyne, from Leyland, is hoping to complete the torturous 26-mile Flora London marathon to raise cash for the Meningitis Trust appeal.

Marilyn, 40, said: "Charlie died very suddenly on New Year's Day three years ago, less than an hour after doctors spotted the rash on his body. He was just taken away from the family so quickly."

Marilyn, who works at Tiddlewinks Nursery, part of Leyland Methodist School, Canberra Road, is the latest in her family to run the marathon for Charlie. The year the tot died, his father David, who lives in Burton-on-Trent, ran the marathon. Then last year, Charlie's uncle Tim went the distance.

Marilyn, of Claremont Drive, is in training for the run, and spends her weekends pounding the streets. But she never forgets why she is running.

Charlie died from the Meningococcal B strain, a type of the virus that has no vaccine. She said: "He was taken into hospital with a stomach upset, and they decided to keep him in overnight. It was about 8am when he developed the rash, and within an hour he had died. It's just so quick."

"I had rung my brother to wish them happy New Year. Everything was fine, but by morning Charlie was dead. It was terrible.

"It's very difficult with meningitis. People think there's a rash, but in this case it didn't appear until just an hour before his death."

If you want to sponsor Marilyn ring her on 453630

Meningitis can cause vomiting, headaches, a stiff neck, cold hands and feet, and a lack of appetite. The Meningitis Helpline can be contacted on 0845 6000 800, 24-hours a day.