Laura Gibb, 24, from Corby, was diagnosed with the rare condition, juvenile Huntington's disease, when she was 16 and may only have a short time left to live.

The former Our Lady and Pope John School pupil, who is receiving palliative care at Mill Lodge, Leicestershire, has lost her speech and has to be fed through a tube.

A benefit dance will be held at the Irish Centre, Patrick Road, Corby, on Friday, March 19, to raise £3,000 for a special wheelchair for Laura.

Her mum Yvonne Gibb, from the Beanfield estate, said: "She is in the final stages of the disease.

"She is quite far gone with the disease and is permanently in a wheelchair.

"She's had to have a feeding tube put in, her speech has gone and she has to use a typewriter device to communicate.

"She has already had one blood clot and is in danger of having another."

Details of the fundraising night have been posted on Facebook and there are already 52 confirmed guests. Local band the Cormitments will be performing, accompanied by DJ Kenny Bell.

Family friend Lisa McGill, who is helping to organise the event, said: "Laura's condition is worsening.

"Her parents have been asked to organise her funeral to make sure that they are prepared. It's a really sad situation.

"When she was first diagnosed, she was told she had between five and 10 years to live.

"Before Christmas last year they were told that she would not make it to Christmas. But she has defied the odds.

"She needs a specialist wheelchair. It has to be made specifically for her with all the right pressure points to make her as comfortable as possible.

"We want to do everything we can to make her comfortable."

Organisers are appealing for raffle prizes for the benefit night, as well as inviting people to buy tickets.

They are £4 in advance or £5 on the door and can be booked by calling the Irish Centre on 01536 743064.

To donate raffle prizes call Lisa on 01536 393669.