A LAVISH charity ball is to be held at Blenheim Palace in memory of DJ and cancer victim Ali Booker.

Fundraising group Passionate Pink, founded by Ms Booker’s friend Deb Little, will stage the Grand Christmas Masquerade Ball on Saturday, December 11, to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Sobell House hospice in Oxford.

Ms Booker died in July aged 47 after recording every step of her fight against the terminal illness on Jack FM’s award-winning Ali Booker’s Cancer Diaries.

Ms Little said: “Ali did a lot for cancer sufferers, not only in Oxfordshire but nationally.

“She was an absolute inspiration to other people, because she laughed in the face of adversity.”

She added: “Many people will not talk about cancer. But she made people sit up, listen, and realise that however horrific things get, cancer is not the end of the world.

“She said it how it was, lifted the lid on cancer, humanised it, and made it public.

“That has helped other sufferers face it head-on, and this event will also be in memory of everybody who has lost their battle with cancer.”

Ms Booker’s husband, Andrew Chapman, said: “It is a fantastic idea to support two charities so close to Alison’s heart.

“She reaped enormous benefit from Sobell House, not only when she stayed there in her last year, but also using the day centre as an outpatient.”

Ms Booker was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, and started her Cancer Diaries broadcasts on Jack FM’s morning show in 2007.

An instant hit, the slot attracted thousands of fans and industry plaudits, including special programme of the year at the Arquiva Awards for commercial radio.

Her honest but witty descriptions of daily life coping with cancer earned the mum-of-two thousands of fans.

Just last week, the show picked up its third major award, winning a silver medal at the New York Radio Festival Awards.

Mr Chapman, who raised two children, Joanne and Doug, with Ms Booker, added: “Alison would have really enjoyed an event like this.

“I never went with her to a ball, but she liked nothing better than to sit down with friends over a meal and a glass of wine.

“Whether that was at a ball or a barbecue, she did not mind – she was not a fussy person.

“A lot of friends and people who knew Alison will want to go, and Joanne and Doug are looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Passionate Pink ball, priced £125, are available from Deb Little on 07919 386196.