STARS helped raise £34,000 for a charity that helps grant wishes to seriously ill children.

Former East Enders actors Patsy Palmer and Sid Owen were among the guests at the ball in aid of The Dream Factory at Prince Regent Hotel in Woodford Bridge on Saturday, which included a charity auction and raffle.

Balancing act Crazy Horse and the Cha Cha School of Dance provided entertainment and other guests included Chingford and Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith and former boxing champion Colin McMillan.

Avril Mills, from Epping, who launched the charity in 2008, after the death of her nine-year-old son Oliver from leukaemia, said: “It was a lot of hard work but it was worth it. We can now grant loads more dreams.

“Thank you to everyone who came and supported the event.” 

Patsy Palmer said: “I think Avril is amazing. Her inspiration has come from something very sad, losing her own child, but to do what she has done is really amazing.

“All kids deserve a good life and even if their live is short they all deserve to have lovely things.”