A GLASGOW woman who lost her nephew to meningitis has vowed to stamp out the disease.

Margaret McLaren will join 51 fellow charity workers to take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in a bid to fight back against the illness.

Along with Alison Yelland from Edinburgh, the volunteer community ambassadors for charity Meningitis Now put together Team Tangerine to take on the Mighty Stride - 11 years after Margaret's nephew Calum passed away.

She said: “The main aim for us apart from raising some funds and awareness of meningitis is also to raise the profile of Meningitis Now in Scotland and the work that we do to support families who have been affected by meningitis.

“I lost my nephew Calum to bacterial meningitis in October 2007 when he was 12.

"Taking part in the Kiltwalk will not only be for Meningitis Now but to remember him too – he inspires me every day to continue my work as an ambassador for the charity.

They’ll be joined by the charity’s founder Steve Dayman, who has raised more than £2 million for the charity’s research, and chief executive Tom Nutt, for the marathon walk taking in all the iconic sights of the Scottish capital.

Alison’s daughter Fiona and Margaret’s daughter Morven, who are both young ambassadors for the charity, and newly-appointed community ambassador James Duff, from Glasgow will also be on the team. Family members and friends make up the rest but Alison, whose daughter contracted the illness at 15, is keen for more supporters to sign up and join the team.

She added: “We’ve both have big birthdays this year so decided to take on the Kiltwalk to mark the occasion.

“We’re really looking forward to it – I’m sure it will be an emotional but memorable day and we’d love as many supporters as possible to join us.”

Fiona contracted bacterial meningitis in October 2011 but Fortunately she made a complete recovery.

The Edinburgh Kiltwalk takes place on Sunday, September 16, and the Mighty Stride covers 24 miles.

Thanks to support from The Hunter Foundation charity walkers will receive not only their sponsorship funds but an additional 40 per cent fundraising boost.

Gillian Marshall, Scotland Community Fundraising Officer at Meningitis Now said: “We’re so grateful to Margaret, Alison, Morven, Fiona, James and everyone on the team for their support.

“As a charity that receives no government funding we rely entirely on the generosity, energy and initiative of our supporters to raise the vital funds we need to carry out our lifesaving and life-changing work.

“Their efforts will make a real difference to those in Scotland who are at risk from meningitis and those whose lives have already been changed forever because of it.”