Parents mourn meningitis victims

Kiera McRitchie had joined the Girls' Brigade

The parents of two girls who died after contracting meningitis-related illnesses in a Scottish town have spoken of their nightmare.

Five-year-old Kiera McRitchie and Abbie Macauley, 6, attended schools in East Kilbride.

They died over the weekend.

Kiera died from meningococcal septicaemia, and tests were under way to determine whether Abbie contracted the same illness.

The McRitchie and Macauley families issued a statement through their local council.

Mark and Angela McRitchie, the parents of Kiera, said their daughter had a real "zest for life".

Kiera was so special, so very special to us and we cannot explain how much we will miss her

Mark and Angela McRitchie

They said: "She loved music and dance and she just bounced along and skipped or ran everywhere.

"She recently joined the Girls' Brigade and enjoyed school where she had made many new friends since coming to East Kilbride in June.

"One of the wonderful things about Kiera was that she had friends of all ages from two years old to people in their eighties and nineties.

"She was so friendly and would go up and say 'Hello' to people because she wanted to include everyone.

"She smiled to everyone and anyone and was loved by a lot of people."

Absolutely devastated

"We have been saying to other parents hold your children close and enjoy the time you have with them because it is so precious.

"This is every parent's nightmare. It is an incredibly difficult time for us and are thankful for the support we have received from friends, family, the school and everyone else."

Abbie was deeply loved by everyone

Douglas Macauley

Kiera's funeral will be held in Aberdeen, where the family lived until June this year.

Mr and Mrs McRitchie have a three-year-old son, Luke.

Douglas Macauley, the father of Abbie, spoke on behalf of his family.

He said: "Abbie was deeply loved by everyone who knew her.

"She was a very special little girl.

"She was very much an individual who enjoyed music and singing, painting and drawing.

"She was very creative and her family are absolutely devastated by this tragedy."