Friends and family pay tribute to 'beautiful and talented' schoolgirl, 16, who died of meningitis just a DAY after contracting the virus

Joanna Yates, 16, from Salford, died earlier this week after contracting the virus
She died in hospital one day after contracting meningitis
Friends and family have paid tribute to the 'talented singer and musician'
A GoFundMe page has already raised £700 in her memory for Meningitis Now

By Rebecca Taylor For Mailonline

Published: 09:49 GMT, 25 February 2017 | Updated: 12:47 GMT, 25 February 2017

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A teenage schoolgirl died just a day after contracting meningitis.

Joanna Yates, from Salford, died earlier this week aged 16.

She was a pupil at Canon Slade School in Bolton and was due to sit her GCSE exams later this summers.

Joanna has been called a 'talented artist, singer and musician' by friends and family as they pay tribute to her.

Joanna Yates died just a day after going into hospital in Manchester when she contracted meningitis

She was a big part of the church community in Monton, Eccles.

It is understood she died in hospital just a day after getting the virus.

A fundraising page was set up in her memory to raise money for charity Meningitis Now and has already raised more than £500 in just 24 hours.

Close friend Freya Jade Rushworth, who launched the appeal, wrote on the page: 'A brilliant, talented artist, singer and musician. Most importantly, a blessing to many lives.

'Despite struggling with so many obstacles in her life, she fought through with a smile on her face and spent countless hours brightening the lives of everyone around her.

'Most unfortunately, Joanna was taken from us at the mere age of 16 when she fell ill with meningitis suddenly. Within a day, the virus had aggressively made its cruel impact and stolen away our best friend. As you can imagine, this broke the hearts of her friends and family all over Manchester.

Joanna was called a 'beautiful and talented' singer and musician by friends as they pay tribute to the 16-year-old

'Joanna wasn't just a friend to me - she was the perfect sleepover buddy, the funniest meme sharing queen, that gentle voice when you were at your lowest and that confidence boost to keep you going. She was also an amazing metal head that was obsessed with the thrill of each gig.

'I'll never forget crowd surfing holding hands with her to Amon Amarth.

'Collecting money towards MeningitisNow.org is what we aim to achieve with this page to support others in need.

'Joanna would have loved to keep on giving through out her life and it's our responsibility to continue that.'

Tributes for Joanna have been pouring in on social media.

Emma Corbett posted on Facebook: 'Rest in peace Joanna Yates you are an angel.'

A tribute fundraising page has raised more than £700 just a day after it was set up for friends to raise money for Meningitis Now

Alex Mancini shared a photo of himself and Joanna writing: 'I love you so much Joanna Yates you're my best friend I cant believe that your gone all the memories will never die. I love you so much.'

St Paul's Church in Monton said on its page: 'We are heartbroken at the very sad news that beautiful, young Joanna Yates has passed away.

'We wish to share with you a message which Andrew and Andrea Young sent to us immediately on hearing the news.

'We are devastated by this very sad news. Joanna was a really great young person and we can't imagine not seeing her again.

'She was a delight and so helpful in the life of the church.

'Our hearts go out to Wendy, Ian and Denholm. We feel so sorry for their huge loss, they will always be in our prayers. May the Lord help us to understand why this has happened.'