A MASQUERADE ball has been organised to raise cash for a Bury-based cancer support charity.

The ball will raise money for Sam’s Gift, a charity set up by the family of Sam Nicholls, who died aged 22, after a short battle with cancer.

So far more than 200 tickets have been sold to the event at the Hotel Football, in Sir Matt Busby Way, on Friday, November 4, at 7.30pm.

Sam’s Gift aims to support teenagers and young adults diagnosed with cancer, by creating boxes which are donated to the Youth Oncology Unit at The Christie in Manchester, where Sam underwent his treatment.

Each box includes items to help patients keep hope during treatment, all inspired by Sam.

Sam’s brother, Tom said: “We are holding the event, to raise awareness of the charity so that we can further our charity into different hospitals starting in the New Year.

“We’re also fundraising because with new hospitals possibly coming on board it's going to be all hands on deck with the amount of money we will need to raise.

“With the likes of Super Josh doing so well, it has spurred us on to go wider in the UK, I personally aim to be in every cancer support unit in the UK by 2020.”

He added: “The charity was set up in the name of Sam, a newly graduated, fun, loving, fit and healthy young man.

“He died in November 2014 and the event will actually be on the day he passed away, after his short battle with a rare type of cancer.

“It is difficult at any age and as young adults you know what your life should look like and what should be ahead of you but cancer makes you face something you shouldn't have to contemplate at that age.

“The medical teams do a fantastic job at caring for the physical needs but there is also the emotional and mental effects of a cancer diagnosis. Which is why the journey box was made.

“So far this year we have given out over 50 boxes and been so gratefully received and have been bombarded with requests from friends and friends of families for their loved ones.”

Businesses interested in sponsoring the event should email sue@samsgift.org.uk or ring 07539118924.

For tickets, go to samsgift.org.uk/charity-masquerade-ball-2016