THE people of Wrexham have given generously to a fund set up in memory of a talented young singer who died suddenly.

Katie Wright, 16, was taken ill on October 4 as she was travelling on a bus along Dean Road, close to her home in Borras Park.

Paramedics took Katie to Wrexham Maelor Hospital where she later died.

Early in November her parents, Ian and Debra Wright, set up a fund in Katie’s name to support the British Heart Foundation. It is known as the Katie Wright Gift of Hope Heart Fund.

They also decided to release a CD of Katie singing three songs, Fix You, Fields of Gold and Love Song.

Her poignant rendition of Fix You was played at her funeral on October 18. All proceeds from the CD are being donated to the fund.

Since its release money has been pouring in and the total raised stands at more than £2,300. The CD is still available from Borras Park Infants School.

Staff at the school, where Katie had been a pupil, have also decided to put on a special pantomime production of Cinderella next month, with all money from the production going to Katie’s fund.

The pantomime idea has proved so popular that all 220 £3 tickets for the show, scheduled for February 4, are sold out so it has been decided to put on a second performance on Wednesday, February 9, again scheduled for 6pm.

By Tuesday, January 25, a further 146 tickets had been sold at £3 each, making the running total more than £1,000.

Anyone wishing to buy tickets should call the school on 01978 352106.

Headteacher Sarah Hurst said: “We had already decided to do the pantomime for the children, but when we heard about Katie’s fund we decided to donate every penny from the show to that fund.

“Every single member of staff taking part was eager to help out because we knew Katie loved singing and dancing. In fact it was her passion.

“We also felt this was particularly appropriate because the month of February has been designated National Heart Month, which makes it even more poignant.”

Mr and Mrs Wright want to thank everyone involved in producing the CD, including Sarah Hurst, of Yale College, Roger Cleverley, Jones the Computer, Koodos Creative, MC Video, Derwen Computers, The Computer Specialists, Micro Plus Computers, Joanne Goodison and Gemma McHale.

Mr Wright said: “We would also like to thank everyone who has made a donation for a CD which has raised a fantastic amount for the British Heart Foundation.

“Our thanks also go to Sarah and her staff for the wonderful gesture regarding the pantomime, and to all the people who have bought a ticket for the performances. The pantomime will raise another significant amount in Katie’s memory.”