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Bollywood-style ball will make wishes come true in memory of Ria Sanger

Hundreds are expected to turn out for a lavish charity ball in memory of a girl who died shortly after being granted her final wish.

Ria Sanger was six years old when she died on December 3, 2013, with her funeral 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.

Ria Sanger's family are organising a charity ball in her memory
Ria Sanger's family are organising a charity ball in her memory

Dad Jas, 39, recalled: “Our eldest daughter was born in 2006 with complex needs, quite severe needs, and so she was completely dependent on us.

“We met loads of people throughout the years she was with us in that same network of parents of children with special needs, who also needed help for their kids.

“In 2013 she passed away and in 2014 we decided to give something back to the people that had helped us, which had mostly been the ellenor hospice.

“Through that we managed to give ellenor just over £10,000 and since then people have been telling us to do another one.

“Everyone has been really supportive so we’ve finally given in.”

Ria had complex needs and died aged six
Ria had complex needs and died aged six

Around 200 people went to the 2014 ball at the Corn Exchange in Rochester but more than 400 are expected at the Kent Showground in Detling next month.

There will be a red carpet reception, a three course Indian dinner, plenty of drinks and cocktails, live entertainment and some great prizes to be won, including a week in Florida.

The couple, who have two other children, two-year-old Ryan and eight-year-old Jaya, are hoping to raise plenty of money for Make A Wish this time.

L/R: Mum Sab, Ria, dad Jas, Ria's sister Jaya
L/R: Mum Sab, Ria, dad Jas, Ria's sister Jaya

Jas said: “They granted a wish for Ria just before she passed away, which was to have a sensory room with equipment to aid her development.

“Unfortunately she passed away before she could ever use it.”

Tickets for the ball at Detling are on sale now, priced £100.

It is a black tie event and women are invited to wear Bollywood-style dress.

It starts at 6.30pm on Saturday, November 25, ending at midnight.

Parents Jas and Sab (left) at a previous fundraiser in 2014
Parents Jas and Sab (left) at a previous fundraiser in 2014

For more information or to book, call Jas on 07796 941973 or email jassanger@hotmail.com.

If you cannot go but would like to support the cause, donate at gofundme.com/rememberingria.

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