FITMUMS and Friends are going the extra mile to fundraise in memory of one of its young members who died of meningitis.

Ellie Penrose, 18, of Cottingham, died suddenly in August from the deadly disease.

Her parents, Pauline and Tom Penrose, are setting up a charity in her name – the Ellie Penrose Fund – which will help young people succeed in sport.

The fitness group, of which Ellie was a member, held its 5 in 5 Challenge last week.

It included a run every day for five days, with funds from entry fees going to the cause.

They also held a sports event – Rounders For Ellie – on October 18 at King George V Playing Fields in Cottingham and raised more than £600 for the charity, with the help of Ellie's family.

Sam Barlow, founder of Fitmums and Friends, said Ellie, a student at Hymers College, was a remarkable young woman who was dedicated to sport.

"She was an incredible athlete," said Mrs Barlow.

"She came to us when she was 14 and she just wanted to run and, at the time, we didn't have safeguarding policies in place, so we couldn't let her come to the group runs.

"We found a way she could run and that was with our trained coaches, so whenever there was a coaching session, Ellie would turn up.

"It was always the hardest sessions where Ellie would appear.

"You wouldn't think somebody of 14 would stick with it, but she did and, as she got closer to 16, I realised that she was serious about her commitment to being in the club, so I then made sure I got a safeguarding policy and we reduced the membership to 16, so Ellie could become an official member.

"She has a very special place in our hearts because we wouldn't have a junior membership if it wasn't for Ellie. She set a precedent really."

Mrs Penrose, who has now joined Fitmums and Friends as a member, said the charity is something her daughter would be proud of.

"I just think it is brilliant that we can do something like this and that we are getting support from lots of different people," she said.

"She would love it. She would be embarrassed that it was something in her name because she never put herself forward for anything."

Members of the fitness group, which has clubs in Cottingham, Beverley, Boothferry, east Hull and Hedon and members of Ellie's family are also taking part in endurance race Ellie On The Humber on Saturday.

To register, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search Ellie On The Humber.