Challenge mounted in memory of Ruby

After tragically losing their baby daughter Ruby to meningitis, heart-broken Justin and Andrea Canty faced the most emotional challenge of their lives.

Ruby was just seven weeks old when she passed away in Justin's arms in hospital. But while the couple grieved they were also determined to keep her memory alive - as well as raise awareness of the deadly disease.

And so the Kidderminster husband and wife set up The Ruby Canty Meningitis Trust Fund. And tomorrow sees 33-year-old Justin face another challenge - one of the physical kind - as he and a group of friends embark on the Fund's first fundraiser which sees them take on the UK's highest mountains.

Ruby weighed 4Ib 11ounces when she was born seven weeks premature on December 29, but was strong and healthy, said Justin.

"After three weeks in hospital she was allowed home to meet her brother and two sisters.

"But after around three weeks we became very concerned as she wasn't eating and she was very pale."

Ruby was rushed to hospital in Worcester before being transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital and Justin and Andrea were told she had contracted pneumococcal meningitis.

"The doctors told us she was severely ill and we felt so helpless," he said.

Ruby was put on a ventilator but the meningitis had ravaged her brain. After five days of treatment and no sign of improvement, the couple had to make the heart-breaking decision to switch off her life support.

"We had the ventilator switched off but it was the hardest decision of our lives. Ruby passed away in my arms soon afterwards," said Justin.

"It has been a very difficult time for us all. We take every day at a time. But her death has made us realise just how precious life is."

Justin praised The Meningitis Trust for the support it provided for the family. "It has been a great help, which is why we want to raise funds for it," he said.

Justin and friends Dean Partridge, Shaune Lewis, Luiz Ferreira, Adam Flynn and Christian Bright will start the Three Peaks Challenge tomorrow - tackling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon in just 24 hours. They are also holding a charity ball at Tribe nightclub, Kidderminster, on September 19, in aid of the fund.

*To sponsor visit www.justgiving.com/rubycantytributefund. Visit the Meningitis Trust, www.meningitis-trust.org for details of the disease.