A special gala night is to be held in memory of a mother-of-three killed after her car was involved in a head-on smash with a fire engine.

The money raised will be used to send Sharon Southgate-Hesling's children - Gareth, 16, disabled 13-year-old Ben and Sophie, three - on holidays and trips.

They are being cared for by their aunt Julie Southgate, 39, of Bracken Bank Avenue, Keighley, and her partner, Martin McGuinness, 41. They have three children, Stuart, 16, Christopher, 13, and 12-year-old Daniel.

The gala will be held on Thursday, March 16, at the Cheese and Trumpet Pub in Low Mill Lane, Keighley.

It has been organised by Julie, Sharon's youngest sister Jackie Shackleton, 33, and her workmates Traci Winterburn, 34, Sarah Loftus, 25, Andrea Whittingham, 28, and Allison Kirby, 33, who are all packers at Peter Black Distribution in Keighley.

Jackie, of Staveley Way, Keighley, said: "The money will make sure they don't miss out on anything like school trips or holidays. The gala night will be a tribute to Sharon but also a time for all the family to get together. Her death still hasn't really sunk in with any of us."

Julie, who also works at Peter Black's, said: "I think it is a really nice idea. The money will be entirely for Sharon's children."

She said she and Martin never hesitated about looking after the children and they were now learning about Ben's disability, Williams Syndrome, which he had had since birth.

"It is a rare condition and we don't know a lot about it," said Julie. "Sophie has been told that Sharon's dead, but I don't think she understands. The boys have their ups and downs, as you'd expect."

Sharon, of Airedale Avenue, Cottingley, 37, died after her red Seat Cordoba was in collision with a fire engine, answering a 999 call, on the A650 near Nab Wood, Shipley, on January 13.

The engine had its siren wailing and blue lights flashing and was travelling towards Bingley. The call later turned out to be a false alarm.

Her car was pinned underneath the engine but firefighters were able to cut Sharon free. She was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary with serious head injuries and died the next day.

Sharon's mum, Hilary Whitaker, 56, formerly of Malsis Road, Keighley, was in Spain where she now lives and was told of her daughter's death over the telephone.

Her father, Jack Southgate, 59, died suddenly from a heart attack only five months before her death.

Sharon has another sister, Elaine Southgate, 34, and a brother Stuart Southgate, who is 36.

For the gala night tickets, call Jackie Southgate on 01535 692154.

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