A GROUP of friends have begun a campaign to fund a memorial bench for a Barry teenager who died a year ago on March 7.

Zia Philp, Lucy Richards, Taylor Clarke, and Shannon O'brein have so far raised £700 to buy a bench in memory of Ysgol Bro Morgannwg pupil Chloe Staples who died, aged 19, after living with cystic fibrosis (CF) – having been diagnosed at birth.

The friends, who attended Bryn Hafren Comprehensive, PRU, Bro Morgannwg and Eastern High School, are aiming to raise £1500 and raise awareness for the medical condition.

CF is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,000 people in the UK.

CF is caused by the person inheriting a faulty gene from both their parents.

It causes the body to produce a thick mucus, which effects each person differently.

Chloe's mum, Sharron Staples said: “Chloe was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was a baby from the heal prick test.

“When we were told, we were absolutely devastated as we knew life expectancy was short.

“Chloe regularly attended the CF clinic at University Hospital of Wales under the care of Dr Doull, the CF consultant and the rest of the CF team.

“She also had regular stays in hospital for treatment when her condition got worse.

“She often stayed at the CF Clinic in Llandough Hospital.

“Chloe knew in her heart how bad CF was, but lived life to the fullest.

“At times she would cry as she wanted to live a normal healthy life like her friends for instance, having a job, her own place and in time, a family of her own.

“Chloe had a big impact on family and friends, a bubbly caring personality and at times would also have an attitude which would make us laugh at times.

“We all miss her so very much, and home is not the same without her.”

Miss Philp, speaking on behalf of her friends, said: “Chloe always focused on the positives and lived her life to the fullest.

“Chloe didn't let the fact she had cystic fibrosis from stopping her live her life.

“She always presented herself as happy and was always smiling.

“Looking at her, you would never have known that she was poorly.

“She was the most beautiful, energetic, positive person that we have ever met.

“She was a lively, strong willed girl who was motivated to live her life to the fullest and always remained as strong as she could.

“She never put her problems onto anyone else even though she was fighting a tough battle inside.

“She was passionate and loved dearly and was a supportive and amazing friend.”

She added: “We are raising money for a memorial bench which we are hoping will be placed at Porthkerry.

“Lucy started the fundraising by setting up a GoFundMe page which so far has raised £380 of our £1500 target.

“Shannon then contacted the Cystic Fibrosis Trust Charity who sent out fundraising buckets and t-shirts.

“We then decided that we would also help raise money for that charity, so we took to the streets and asked the public for donations to the memorial bench and the charity.

“From this, we have raised a total of £700 so far.

To support Chloe’s fundraiser visit the GoFundMe page on

https://www.facebook.com/donate/2077490682344296/825297001136129/<https://www.facebook.com/donate/2077490682344296/825297001136129/>