The family of five-year-old Karla Selley, who died at Towngate Dental Practice while under sedation to have a milk tooth removed in 1999, are holding a fundraising event at Park Hall, Charnock Richard on Friday, September 26.

Karla's grandmother Sandra Gibson, 63, recently died of cancer and relatives and friends hope to raise money for St Catherine's Hospice where she spent her last few weeks.

Karla's mum Tracey Armstrong helped fulfil her mum's dying wish by burying her next to the granddaughter she doted on and says the charity night is in memory of them both.

She said: "My mum was diagnosed with cancer 12 months ago and passed away at St Catherine's Hospice. The care while she was there, and the aftercare since she died, could not have been any better. That is why I want to give them something back.

"My mum had such a good relationship with Karla, she was the only child back then and she was the doting grandma. When Karla died the only thing my mum said was that I had to make sure she was buried with Karla.

"Now they are both together at St Andrew's Parish Church in Leyland.
"My mum suffered really badly and when she did pass away it was almost a relief. She never moaned and she suffered in silence, but to watch a woman you idolise and worship deteriorate like that is not nice to see."

Tickets for the event, which starts at 7pm, are priced at £8 and the night will feature a Stars In Their Eyes-style competition, a raffle, comedy and music.

Lana Williams and dance partner Darren, from TV show Strictly Dance Fever, will be performing and the night will be hosted by Marvyn Williams of Shipwrecked.

They are also appealing for local businesses to donate prizes, with Westview gym, where Tracey works, having already donated a gym membership as raffle prize.

Karla stopped breathing while under sedation at the dentist on August 9, 1999. Anaesthetist George Vanner and dentist Michael Lane were subsequently cleared of manslaughter.

Tracey, who now has two other daughters, Nicola, eight, and two-year-old Catelyn, said she talked about Karla all the time with her mum before she died.

She said: "We talk about her a lot, as if she's never gone and when we do talk seriously about that day, it seems like yesterday. Karla was the centre of the whole family.

"We are hoping to raise enough money on the night to give some to Ulnes Walton Bridleways Association, who plan to name a bridlepath after Karla.

"She loved horses and I had bought her a pony with one of her friend's mums - but she never got to see it. She got home from holiday, went to the dentist and never came out.

"She would have enjoyed it and now her younger sister Nicola is doing very well at riding and it would be ideal if she could ride off the roads on her sister's bridleway."

To get tickets or to donate prizes call Sandra Connolly on 07776 406058 or 01772 885694.