A total of £27,000 was raised at a charity ball in memory of a girl who died shortly after being granted her final wish.

It was the second such event held in the name of Ria Sanger, who died aged six in 2013. Her funeral was held eight days later, on what would have been her seventh birthday.

The following year her parents Jas and Sab, of Old Watling Street, Gravesend, put on a fundraising ball for ellenor, the charity hospice that helped look after Ria during her last few days.

Around 200 people attended that event at Rochester’s Corn Exchange and £10,000 was raised, but last month’s Remembering Ria ball at Detling
Showground, Maidstone, more than doubled both of those records.

It included a red carpet reception, a three-course Indian dinner, drinks and cocktails, live entertainment and a raffle, with prizes including a week in Florida.

The couple, who have two other children, two-year-old Ryan and eight-year-old Jaya, will now split the money between Make A Wish and four families from around Gravesend who are going through similar experiences.

Make A Wish granted Ria’s wish for a sensory room with equipment to aid her development just before she died, but she never got the chance to use it.

Mr Sanger, 39, said: “We chose to support Make A Wish as we feel they help so many children like our daughter and their support is invaluable.

“We chose to also help four families as we want to make a real difference to their daily lives and help with their future care.”

If you would still like to support the cause, donate at gofundme.com/rememberingria