Glitzy ball to aid sick children

8:00am Monday 28th January 2008

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TRAFFORD'S former young citizen of the year is holding a glitzy ball to raise funds to help sick children.

Kirsty Ashton, who herself suffers from neurofibromatosis, which causes tumours and curvature of the spine, is hoping the event will enable her to reach her target of raising £65,000 to send 100 sick and terminally ill children to Lapland, the home of Santa Claus, with the 'When You Wish Upon a Star' team.

The 17-year-old former Altrincham College of Arts pupil is throwing a Valentine's Ball at the Radisson SAS Hotel, at Manchester Airport.

The event on February 16 will be hosted by Vince Miller and feature the Mersey Beatles and Coronation street stars Julie Hesmondhalgh and Katherine Kelly.

Kirsty's mum, Julie, said: "Kirsty is in constant pain and attends hospital weekly - and sometimes three or four times a week. Doctors recently found that she has now got tumours in her tummy and on every nerve in her pelvis.

"What makes us so proud of Kirsty is she has not sat back feeling sorry for herself. She is busy trying to help other poorly children.

"She visited Santa with the Wish Upon A Star team and had such a wonderful time that she wants to make it possible for other poorly children to have the same experience."

Last year Kirsty held a fundraising night of 1940s festivities at the King George pub in Hale, which raised £1,400. A few months before that event she received a World Child of Courage award.

Tickets for the Valentine's Ball are £695 for a table of 12, or £59 each. They are available from Keith on 07770 868 660.