Sisters take up charity challenge in friend's memory

DOUBLE ACT: Danielle and Laura Maisey

TWIN sisters from Chelmsley Wood have embarked on a series of challenges in memory of their friend, who lost her long battle with cystic fibrosis last year.
Danielle and Laura Maisey are determined to complete the “bucket list” which their pal Tahlia Banks was sadly unable to finish.
Tahlia, from Marston Green, passed away just four months after receiving a double lung transplant in a London hospital. The former Grace Academy pupil, who was also known as Tink because of her love of Disney films, was just 20 years old.
The sisters are among a group determined to take up the challenge on Tahlia’s behalf.
One of the most demanding of the 35 items is to run a marathon and the twins, who recently turned 21, are already in training.
They hope their efforts will carry both of them over the finish line, at this autumn’s Birmingham Half Marathon.
“Seeing as there are two of us we thought we could both run a half marathon and that would equal a full one – we thought Tahls would see the funny side of that,” said Danielle.
The sisters, who work at Solihull’s Spire Parkway Hospital, have already ticked a number of items off the list, including being fitted for a wedding dress.
Other items for the future include organising a “crazy” party and arranging a trip to Australia.
“There is a big group of us involved so we are sure that between us we will complete the bucket list,” added Danielle. “Tink was loved by everyone and we all really miss her so doing this helps to keep her memory in our lives.
“It also means we can raise much needed cash for cystic fibrosis research.”
Anyone who would like to sponsor the siblings should visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tahliasbucketlist