FUNDRAISING continued at the weekend in memory of a three-year-old Cwmbran boy with a bag packing event that has raised over £5,000.

Fundraisers manned the tills at the town’s Asda supermarket to raise funds for Shae Button, who died suddenly from meningitis on April 14.

About £5,000 was raised by the group, and the Asda Foundation is also donating £500 to the fund.

The cash will go towards buying a grave stone for Shae, who is described by his mum, Connie Button, as having “the biggest heart and most infectious smile you could imagine”.

A Facebook page with more than 2,400 members and a Twitter hashtag #shaeshaesarmy have been set up by family members to raise funds, which will help pay for memory boxes given out at hospitals to parents whose children have died.

A fundraising account is due to go live next week, said Shae’s cousin Hayley Orme, 26, who helped organise the bag pack along with Clare and Amy Regulski.

“It’s so emotional. People are coming up with their well wishes and I can’t even speak to them,” she said. “We’re so grateful for all donations.”

Hundreds of balloons were released in Gwent Square, Cwmbran, which raised £2,200.

Torfaen Riding Club will hold a fundraising day on June 1, and a midnight walk will take place around Woodlands Park, Croesyceiliog, on May 3.

For an application form visit facebook.com/groups/557540674359712 and leave a comment. Ms Orme also has a JustGiving page for the charity Meningitis Now at justgiving.com/Hayley-Orme

Meningitis Now is running Viral Meningitis Week that aims to dispel myths and misconceptions about the illness.

From May 5 to 11, the charity is urging those who have been affected by meningitis to vocalise their experiences.

Visit meningitisnow.org or freephone 0808 80 10 388.