Farewell our dancing angel

TRAGIC . . . Layla-Rose Ermenekli

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A FAMILY is struggling to come to terms with the loss of their "dancing angel" who died suddenly following a rare infection.

Little Layla-Rose Ermenekli (6) was taken to A&E with a high temperature but the next day doctors told her family she had died of meningococcal meningitis.

The Limeside family were shocked by the suddenness of the news which took their "beautiful vibrant" girl from them.

More than 500 residents and 10 dance troupes nationwide united for a huge balloon release on Sunday in memory of the Oasis Academy Primary School pupil.

Support

Hundreds of tributes have been paid and more than £8,000 has been donated via a fundraising page to support the family as they await a newborn baby.

Mum Kirsty Ermenekli and dad Ricky Ermenekli said: "Layla-Rose was so bubbly. She always had a smile on her face and she never let anything phase her.

"She was such a colourful character, she was such a precious girl. She touched so many people's hearts and made people laugh and smile daily with her cheeky shy character. She was so loved and words can't describe how much she will be missed."

Layla-Rose lived in Fourth Avenue with her mum, dad, older sister Melika and younger brother Emrae. Dance teacher and family member Catherine Wasgarforth McNamara said: "Layla-Rose was a beautiful vibrant colourful little character who loved dancing and loved life in general."

Family took Layla-Rose to the A&E department at the Royal Oldham Hospital on Friday night (3) with a high temperature and stomach pain.

Ms McNamara said: "Her temperature was above 40°C. It wouldn't come down with Calpol or ibuprofen and Layla-Rose was complaining of a tummy and headache.

"They managed to get her temperature down but within a very short space of time she had gone."

Initial test results found it was meningococcal meningitis, an infection which causes the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed.

The family now await official test results to confirm the doctor's findings and specifically which strain of the virus led to her death in the early hours of Saturday morning (4).

Layla-Rose followed in the footsteps of her mum Kirsty who has been part of Collettes Dance Troupe for more than 30 years.

From the time she could walk Layla-Rose was dancing in the Hollinwood group which competes across the North West.

Kirsty's cousin Catherine who heads up the group said: "Layla was 'born into the troupe' as we say. When it came to dancing she was very shy at first but over the last couple of years she had grown into a remarkable dancer with a passion quite rare for one so young.

"She had the biggest smile on her face the minute the music kicked in. She was chosen to be the leader of the tots team for this coming dancing season.

"Not only was she the leader but she was a great friend to the other little girls and would never think twice about helping the others if they were struggling. She was so excited about this year.

"She certainly was our dancing angel and she will certainly leave a massive void in the tots team this year."

Dance troupes across the country rallied round for a balloon release on Sunday with Layla-Rose's family joining the Collettes at Beulah Baptist Church - their Hollinwood practice room - where 100 balloons were released for Layla-Rose.

New Generation, Oldham Sapphires, Oldham Aces, Crystal Shandelles and Wulstan Reyelles were among the troupes who showed their support, with releases in Stoke, Chester, Telford and even Tenerife.

Another balloon release was held at a Bradwell primary school where more than 150 balloons were released by around 100 dancers.

Hannah Morrey of Wolstanto who set up the fundraising page said: "The balloon release was so beautiful. The sky was full of bright beautiful colours for a very well loved princess.

"I wish all the money raised could bring back this special little princess. My heart breaks for this family and if there is anything else I could do to take away their pain I would do it."

The Just Giving page was launched to provide a funeral service that is fitting for the "beautiful princess" and to support her family with household expenses at a time when Kirsty is self-employed and expecting a baby boy in May.