A FUNDRAISING ball is set to be held in memory of a beloved friend.

Liz Berry died from bowel cancer on May 5, 2015 at the age of 45. Her best friend Clare Dando, who is a member of Wokingham Lions Club, is organising a Glitter Ball in her honour, with all proceeds going to support Bowel Cancer UK.

Clare said: "Liz had been my best friend since we met at university in 1990. We had been friends for 25 years when she died. I wanted to do something significant to honour Liz and mark our friendship in a way that would hopefully help others too.

"When I turned 45 on 1st June 2017, I decided to start a healthy lifestyle by exercising every day for 45 minutes, and eliminating alcohol and sugary snacks from my diet. To date, I have lost four-and-a-half stone, and taken up new hobbies and sports.

"In addition, I started a Challenge 45 fundraising page for bowel cancer: https://give.everydayhero.com/uk/challenge-45-for-liz. So far, we’ve raised £4,000.

"For the last year, we have been working with the Wokingham Lions Club to organise the Glitter BaIl. I am so incredibly grateful to the Lions for all their help and support with the Ball. It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to work with their members."

The Liz Berry Glitter Ball will take place at the Hilton Hotel, Reading, on Saturday, May 12, from 7.03pm until late. Featuring a live band, three-course dinner and a pay-to-play casino, the club hopes to raise plenty of funds for the worthy charity.

Fellow Lions member Lyn Baily, who has helped to organise the ball said: "Wokingham Lions Club have great pleasure in supporting this event, and in helping to fundraise for such a worthy cause.”

For tickets, email Clare Dando at cjdando@hotmail.com.