A HEARTBROKEN Rosyth family celebrated what would have been their daughter’s 20th birthday by raising more than £11,000 for charity.

Emma Straker’s sudden death from sepsis on 4th October last year, just two weeks after her 19th birthday, sparked a campaign to raise awareness of the blood infection.

Sepsis kills 37,000 Brits each year and Emma’s family and friends teamed up with the UK Sepsis Trust to launch a national campaign in April.

A JustGiving page, a #kissgoodbyetosepsis selfie project on Twitter and a ‘red lips’ zumba class – Emma’s trademark look – helped raise thousands of pounds.

The cash will fund information packs at doctors’ surgeries, as well as train doctors and nurses.

Now a recent charity night at the Carnegie Conference Centre has brought the fund-raising total to more than £11,000.

Mum Tracy (46) said, “Emma would have been 20 on 20th September and this was a fantastic way to mark her birthday.

“We are now looking to speak to our local MSP, Alex Rowley, to try and get some support from the Scottish Parliament to mirror the support and efforts being made in NHS England and Wales with regard to awareness in the health sector.” Six weeks before she died, Emma, who was studying English and acting at Napier University, had developed a throat infection.

She was prescribed antibiotics by a doctor and recovered but on 2nd October 2013, she felt unwell after a night out with friends.

Thinking she had picked up another cold, she stayed off university the next day – but the day after, she was found dead by friends who went to look in on her.

Tracy added, “All the money we raised will be used in Scotland. The support we’ve received has been fantastic. Emma would help everybody and if this helps even one family, it will be worth it.” Anyone interested in helping should email Tracy at: tracy_straker@yahoo.co.uk.