A YOUNG woman who cared for her father during his battle with cancer is hosting a charity black-tie ball in his memory.

Laura Coker, aged 20, from Malvern, has organised the dance to raise money for Cancer Research UK and raise awareness of the illness following the death of her father, Kevin, in August.

She became her father’s full-time carer during his 18-month battle with the disease.

Miss Coker, who has also taken part in fund-raising events such as the Race for Life, said she hoped to raise as much money as possible for the charity by organising the ball, which will be held at Hilton Puckrup Hall, Tewkesbury on Friday, April 26.

She said: “It was too late with him but I’m raising awareness for other people.

“I’ve had a lot of cancer in my family, nearly everyone has been affected by it.

“My grandmother on my mother’s side is a survivor, she was so lucky.

“It’s a publicly-funded charity as well which is brilliant, so something as big as that deserves to get as much money as possible.”

Miss Coker said she hoped the black-tie event would appeal to people of all ages and get everyone involved in raising money.

She said: “Everyone likes to dress up and glam up.

“I’ve done Race for Life and done face painting but this appeals to more of an older audience – adults don’t want to get their faces painted.

“Hopefully it’ll get people interested. It’s something everyone can get involved in.”

Tickets for the ball, which starts at 7pm, cost £20 and includes entry and food.

Miss Coker will also be holding a charity auction during the ball and is looking for companies to donate items.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit justgiving.com/LauraCoker1301, email laurarosecoker@hotmail.co.uk or visit facebook.com/events/ 591835067510901/.