BRAVE Megan Wright, who died two days before Christmas at the age of only five, has inspired a mum-of-three to hold a pamper evening in aid of The Press Guardian Angels Appeal.

Little Megan, of Acomb, in York, was born 14 weeks premature and spent the next seven weeks battling for life in intensive care.

But the youngster pulled through and went on to live life to the full - despite coping with epilepsy, cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease.

Tragically, Megan's life was cut short on December 23, when she died suddenly in her sleep, but everybody who knew her is determined that her memory will live on.

Ceri Wright, who met Megan's mum, Val, when they were both pregnant, said she was hoping to raise £1,000 for the Guardian Angels Appeal, by hosting a health and well-being evening on March 19 - the same day as Val's birthday. The appeal aims to raise £300,000 for life-saving high dependency facilities on the children's ward at York Hospital.

Ceri, 29, said: "Megan and my son, Charlie, were born within three days of each other. My mum worked with Val at Mulberry Hall, so when she found out we were both pregnant at the same time, she introduced us and we've been friends ever since.

"Megan was a lovely little girl. She was very pretty and a real smiler. She was a very girly girl and loved pink and glitter and she would have loved this pamper evening.

"She had a huge personality and was undefeated by her inability to walk or talk. She used her magic smile and was really cheeky and a lot of fun."

Ceri, of Nether Poppleton, near York, is looking for local beauty, health and fashion businesses to support the fundraiser by setting up a stall at the evening and offering their services in exchange for donations.

She said: "Megan received a lot of care on the children's ward and her family would love the ward to have this new high-dependency unit.

"As a mum, I know that when you have a sick child the last thing you would want is to have to go to Leeds or Hull and have that extra trauma of not being able to be with them because they don't always have parent beds available at the hospital.

"It's really easy to go through life thinking that it's never going to happen to you, but when you see it happen to your friends, you realise it can happen to anyone."

Ceri, who works as a child minder, would also like to hear from anybody who would like to donate a lot for an auction of promises.

If you are able to help, or you would like to buy a ticket for the evening, Ceri is available on 07902 206623, or by emailing nigeandceri@tesco.net Tickets cost £10 and the evening starts at 7pm in the Tithe Barn, in Nether Poppleton.


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