TEENAGER Kirsty Ashton is a step closer to realising her dream of sending 100 seriously ill children on the trip of a lifetime.

The 17-year-old, who suffers from the rare nerve condition neurofibromatosis, has dedicated her time to raising £65,000 to send terminally ill and dying youngsters to Lapland to meet the real Father Christmas.

The trip is organised by the When you Wish Upon a Star charity.

Tomorrow more than 200 people will attend a glitzy fundraising ball at the Radisson SAS Hotel, at Manchester Airport, which has been organised by Kirsty.

The Wythenshawe has metal rods fitted in her back to help support her spine and needs regular treatment.

The event will feature entertainment from X Factor band Eton Road and the Mersey Beatles as well as Stockport comedian Vince Miller. There will also be a raffle and auction with signed Ricky Hatton, Chrsitiano Ronaldo and Rod Stewart merchandise and a 19 carat diamond among the prizes.

Kirsty, a former winner of the Pride of Manchester award, said: "I'm really looking forward to the ball - I want to raise as much money as possible. These children do not have long to live and I want to make their dreams come true."

It costs £650 to send one child and a parent or helper on a day trip to Lapland.

Kirsty went on a life-changing holiday with the Wish Upon a Star charity when she was nine and has raised £43,000 over the past three years.

She has organised the ball with the support of sponsors Copyshop, in Cheadle. They teamed up to organise a similar event in 2006 and exceeded expectations by raising £25,000.

Copyshop director Keith Oldfield said: "We're hoping to do even better this time. Kirsty has so much charisma. She's real fighter and this is a super goal."

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