Netball teams will pay tribute to Maisie Gibbins, who died after suffering a brain aneurysm, in the first major event for a fund set up in her memory.

The 12-year-old, a pupil at St John’s School in Marlborough, died in November after being taken ill while on a family holiday in Cornwall.

Her family – mum Lissa, dad Nick, identical twin Isla and brothers nine-year-old George and seven-year-old Felix – have set up the Maisie Gibbins Star Tribute Fund.

The Great Bedwyn family aims to raise £25,000 for a portable life support machine for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital, where Maisie was treated.

Mrs Gibbins said: “We were completely devastated and we just needed something positive.

“The hospital was so wonderful, so we just wanted to do something for them. We decided to set up the fund, rather than just sending cheques to the hospital, so that we could set a fundraising target and see where the money was going.

“Maisie had to be transported twice, from two different hospitals, and needed the portable life support machine.”

Maisie played for Marlborough Junior Netball Club, a team linked to Swindon’s Raychem Netball Club, which is dedicating its fundraising tournament to her.

Mrs Gibbins said: “We were very pleased when they asked if they could raise money. Maisie played for the team and Isla still does, so they have felt the loss as so many people have.

“The whole family will be there, helping with the barbecue and selling raffle tickets.”

The Mo Squires Netball Tour-nament is on Saturday at Dorcan Recreation Centre in Swindon.

It was set up last year by Raychem Netball Club founder, Mo Squires, in memory of her parents who supported the team.

It starts at 10am and there will also be an exhibition match featuring the England men’s team.

The Maisie Gibbins Star Tribute Fund is at www.justgiving.com/ Lissa-Gibbins