A LITTLE girl who died suddenly of chicken pox is to be honoured with a special garden.

Adam and Angie Bunce-Mason, parents of three-year-old Elana, are creating a community garden on land donated by a church.

The youngster died in April, just 24 hours after being rushed to Basildon Hospital with the common childhood illness chicken pox.

Now her parents and brother Reuben, seven, are ploughing their efforts into raising money to transform the land at All Saints Church in Chafford Hundred.

On Saturday, the family held a fundraising day at the church, drawing a crowd of 300 to the children’s games, indoor bouncy castle, dog training, a raffle and charity auction. The event raised £14,410.

Angie, 34, said it had given the family a way to remember Elana’s happy nature.

She said: “It’s given us something to achieve and to aim for.

“I was expecting this day to be emotional, but it is so nice people can come here and play and be happy, because it helps you remember the happy memories you share of her.”

Elana’s love of butterflies will be remembered with lots of plants that attract the insects, while her passion for pink will be present in the many bright flowers there.

The whole family has been helping out. Reuben raised around £300 from a sponsored sequence of his martial arts moves – known as a karate kata – to pay for a garden seat.

Adam, 37, said he was overwhelmed by contributions from friends, family and the wider community.

He said: “The help we’ve had from people and businesses for the fun day was fantastic.

“We really wanted it to be a big success because of what we’re trying to achieve and this way, if children can have fun at the same time so much the better.

“It’s taken a lot of sleepless nights to get it right. But I think because we have supported each other and having Reuben to think about as well it has helped.”

The family, of Cumberland Road, Chafford Hundred, are hoping to raise £3,000.

Pastor Lynne Connell, a minister at All Saints Church, said the garden would benefit the whole community.