AN increasingly successful fundraising event organised by a former teacher who was struck down by a deadly disease has raised another £1,500 for the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Christine Carter lost her legs below the knees and some of her fingers after she developed a serious form of septicaemia that left her in hospital for eight months.

The treatment she was given for the blood poisoning caused by the streptococcal infection affected her circulation and meant she had to undergo the amputations.

But she was determined to do as much as she could to promote research into septicaemia and meningitis and has just held her fifth craft fair in Thornbury in support of the town-based foundation (MRF).

Mrs Carter, 66, who lives in Thornbury, was taken ill at New Year three years ago.

Her family was warned she was critically ill and could die as a result of her condition.

After her long recovery, Mrs Carter and her daughter, Lindsey Benson, set about organising their first craft fair in the Swan Inn in aid of the MRF.

Ten tables were set up in the skittle alley of the pub but since then it has expanded and the most recent event on Saturday featured 35 stalls, as well as an affordable art sale.

Mrs Carter, a former textile teacher, said: “We get a tremendous number of people attending and there is always a waiting list of crafters who want to be involved. The craft people all come from a ten-mile radius of Thornbury.

“We don’t have to pay for the venue as it’s donated by the pub and it also gives the foundation the chance to speak to people about its work. Lots of people took the foundation’s cards that list the symptoms of the disease.”

Since starting the twice-yearly fairs, Mrs Carter has raised some £6,500 for the charity, which uses it to fund vital work into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia.

She has already set a date for the next one. It will be held in the Swan on March 29, 2014.