A CENTRE in Tanzania, which is to be named in memory of a Caerwent teenager who died of a rare infection, has moved one step closer.

The family of Natasha Scott-Falber who died aged 14 of Toxic Shock Syndrome from using her first tampon, have been campaigning to raise awareness of the symptoms and are now working with a charity to help build a drop in centre in Iringa, Tanzania.

TSS Aware, which was set up by the family, have now reached their target of £2,000 which will go towards purchasing five acres of land in order to build the centre for children living on the streets in Iringa .

The majority of the money was raised through a fashion show and auction which raised £1,640 at Drill Hall in Chepstow last month, but the remaining £360 was raised by the afternoon the day after the show from a Facebook appeal for donations by Mandy Scott, Natasha's mother.

The centre will be for the charity FISCH and will be a place for street children to stay while accommodation is sought, where they can be be fed and cared for.

Mrs Scott said: "We are hoping to have a plaque with Tash's name on and a photo of her inside with her story.

"We are really pleased to have found the charity and we're really looking forward to it. We hope to go out to Tanzania next September."

She added: "We knew within six months of Tash dying that we wanted to build something in her memory. I don't want Tash's legacy to be her tragic death from TSS - she was so much more than that.

“She would have loved this and would have been raising money left right and centre for it. As a family for us this is something really positive."

Representatives from the charity will be going to Iringa in September to purchase the land. The centre will cost around £10,000 and the family aim to raise this in the next few years.

According to Toxic Shock Syndrome Information Service (TSSIS), around half the reported cases of TSS are associated with women using tampons, but it can also be caused by infections following burns, boils, insect bites or following surgery. The condition can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

For more information visit http://tssaware.org.uk/