Dozens of friends, family and supporters of Stacey Mowle packed into one of Gravesend’s most popular restaurants to mark the launch of a new cancer charity in her honour.

Stacey’s Smiles has been formed to raise awareness of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma and hopes to grant wishes and organise treats for suffering youngsters and their families.

The charity follows the Stacey Mowle Appeal, which raised money to help the nine-year-old in her five year battle against the disease until she died on March 6 last year.

Family friend and long-time supporter Steve Nash was one of those who turned up at the Divizia Italian Restaurant in Queen Street to help make sure Stacey’s Smiles enjoyed a successful launch.

“Stacey’s Smiles took off where the Stacey Mowle Appeal left off and organised another brilliantly successful event,” he said. “A great time was had by everybody who ate, danced and sang their way through the official launch.

“Unfortunately we were very tight on numbers so we could not invite every supporter, we so wish we could, but there will be many events and opportunities for each and every supporter to be involved in, that’s for sure.”

The event concluded with 30 pink balloons being released outside the restaurant in memory of Stacey. Some of the charity’s well known patrons were also there, including darts player Josh Payne, actress Leanne Jones, Britain’s Got Talent’s Confidence Queen Genny Jones and Wizzard musician Charlie Grima.

The charity has already brought a smile to the face of one five-year-old from Ipswich by delivering its first Box of Smiles filled with presents and treats, including a full-size keyboard.

Stacey's dad, Warren, of Trafalgar Road, Gravesend, said: "We have some fantastic memories of Stacey. This is why we set this charity up - to give children and parents alike great memories.

"Without the support it would have never been possible."

The Stacey Mowle Appeal had previously secured the support of dozens of famous faces, including football manager Harry Redknapp and actress Linda Robson and was the Messenger’s Charity of the Year for 2015.

It also had more than 10,000 social media followers as it bid to raise the £500,000 needed to secure specialist treatment for Stacey in the United States.

You can find out more about the work of Stacey’s Smiles by visiting staceyssmiles.co.uk or following the charity on Twitter and Instagram @staceyssmiles.

You can also get in touch via email at smile@staceyssmiles.org.uk or by calling 0333 323 1883.