A FAMILY friend of a "beautiful little girl" who died after contracting strep A infection has spoken of the parents heartbreak.

Sienna, aged 5, tragically died 48 hours after becoming ill with the infection leaving behind her parents and half sister.

She passed away on Wednesday, December 21, at Great Ormand Street Hospital (GOSH) after contracting the invasive infection that has symptoms including high fever, vomiting and a sore throat.

Michael McCourt, who plays football with Sienna's father in Buckinghamshire, wants to help the family buy a memorial plaque or bench in her memory.

The family currently have a Christmas tree outside their home with candles as a tribute to Sienna.

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Michael has set up a fundraising page hoping to raise £15,000 with the rest of the proceeds donated to Great Ormand Street Hospital (GOSH) for their efforts.

Mr McCourt said: "I've spoken pretty much everyday to the parents and saw them on Christmas eve. I've been trying to check in with them but naturally, they say they want the world to stop. Everyday is a new problem for them."

Michael described Sienna as a happy little five-year-old when she'd watch her dad play football.

"I played football with the dad for the past six years, I've got kids a similar age to Sienna, so its hard to explain. I just wanted to try and help in anyway that I can. There’s nothing I can do to make a difference but this is what I can do.

"When I first found out I reached out to a mutual friend who we play football with. I wanted to set up a Go Fund Me and hoped it would get traction because of what happened to her. Everyone wants to help and this is what most people have - £5 or £10 spare - I didn’t expect it to get anywhere near this." 

The fundraising page has reached £11,445 so far, so the family are close to affording a memorial in Sienna's name.

Michael explained on behalf of Sienna's parents how good staff were at GOSH in supporting them.

He said: "They let GOSH take a blood sample after she passed. He told me pretty much what happened that it’s really a rare case of Strep A and they took a blood sample for future research to help prevent it happening again." Visit https://gofund.me/6571a925 to donate. 

The symptoms of iGas can include:

  • Fever (a high temperature above 38°C)
  • Sore throat or tonsillitis
  • Severe muscle aches
  • Localised muscle tenderness
  • Redness at the site of a wound

The parents wish people to respect their privacy during this difficult time.