Memorial event for little girl

TRAGIC . . . Layla-Rose Ermenekli

A FUNDRAISING event is being held in Newton Heath today in memory of a six-year-old girl who died suddenly after contracting a rare infection.

As reported in the Chronicle this week, "Dancing angel" Layla-Rose Ermenekli was taken to A&E last Friday with a high temperature, but died in the early hours of Saturday due to meningococcal meningitis.

Now a McDonald's employee who heard the sad news has rallied round to organise a fundraising event to support family members.

With the help of her boss Chelsea Johnson who knows Layla-Rose's mum, Kirsty Ermenekli has organised several raffles, a tombola and special appearances from Paw Patrol characters Chase and Marshall.

She said: "Hopefully the money will help with funeral costs and other expenses the family may have. They shouldn't have to worry about money at this hard time."

Residents have donated toys for the raffle while Manchester-based GBM Digital Technologies donated a brand new iPad mini as the first prize.

Residents are invited to attend McDonald's Restaurant, in Oldham Road, between 2pm and 5.30pm.