THE grateful parents of tiny meningitis survivor, Lauren Booth, have enlisted the support of celebrity HTV presenter Fiona Wilson to open a Christmas Craft Bazaar as part of their fundraising activities for Bath Royal United Hospital's children's unit.

Lisa-Jayne and Paul Booth, of Haydock Close, Chippenham, want to thank the children's unit for the care they gave to Lauren when she was struck down by meningitis at only six weeks old.

The bazaar takes place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 8th December at Chippenham's Neeld Hall.

The Booths set up the Lauren Booth Appeal to raise funds for the Forever Friends Appeal, which raises money to provide the hospital with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipment for their cancer, children, cardiology and critical care units.

Lauren was rushed to RUH in April suffering from group B streptococcal meningitis. She even stopped breathing for a few seconds. "It was dreadful," said Mrs Booth. "It was the sort of thing you think only happens to other people."

Luckily, after three weeks' devoted care and attention Lauren made a good recovery.

Now Mr and Mrs Booth have to wait and see how the attack may have affected their daughter in the long term.

She is still taking medication, seven months after the illness, and she has lost some hearing in her left ear.

The Booths initially hoped to raise £500, but the effort turned into a year of fundraising, due to finish on Lauren's first birthday on March 19, and already they have raised more than £2,600.

The bazaar is the first major event Mrs Booth has organised. "It has been hectic," she said.

After the bazaar the Booths will be competing in the half marathon in Bath on March 17, two days before the end of the appeal.

Would-be sponsors should contact Mrs Booth on 07979 626806.