A COMMUNITY’S fundraising efforts have finally made it possible for a family to lay their six-year-old son to rest.

An intimate family ceremony will take place to scatter the ashes of Oswaldtwistle youngster Marti-Lee McDonagh, who died of meningitis a year ago, just 24 hours after complaining of flu symptoms.

After hearing the heartbreaking tale of his parents’ loss, hun-dreds of well wishers and family friends have raised £4,000 over the last 12 months making it possible for the family to purchase a plot, headstone and to cover the costs of the funeral.

More than 100 mourners attended the funeral of Marti-Lee, but it is only now that his family have been able to plan for a permanent resting pla-ce, which they plan to mark with a small ceremony at Accrington Crematorium.

The family will also donate £309 left over from the fund to three local schools.

Speaking of the fundraising efforts, dad Lee said: “We are just so very grateful for every-one’s kindness and wanted to say a public thank you to everyone who made this possible.

“We just were not in the position to afford a headstone and the funeral was very expe-nsive.

"We were not prepared for something like this to happen to us. We never dreamed of it.”

The money raised has gone towards a plot and a headstone for Marti-Lee depicting a cruc-ified heart in a design drawn up by his father.

The fundraising has covered the cost of the funeral and a specially designed ashes casket which displays pictures of Marti-Lee playing in the garden and quad biking.

His dad added: “People have helped us because they loved Marti.

"It’s the sort of reaction people had to him. He was just such a loveable kid.

“The ceremony will be just family, but anyone who wants to pay their respects is welcome to join us in the pub later on.”

Fundraising donations included over £700 from St Nicholas Primary in Accrington and Moor End in Oswaldtwistle where Marti was a pupil.

Cambridge Street Nursey donated £400 and £851 was raised by Colin Parkinson and Roger Porter at the Railway Pub who ran 10k in his memory.

Marti-Lee’s family also raised £2,703 with a fundraiser raffle at the Whitaker’s Arms.

Family and friends will gather to remember Marti at the Whitakers Arms, Burnley Road, from 2pm on February 5.