GEMMA Elms loved to dress up, pull on high heels, and party with her friends.

Now, four months after her death from ovarian cancer, the 31-year-old’s friends are organising a fundraising ball to honour her memory.

The Killer Heels Ball will take place at Eynsham Hall on Friday, April 13, in aid of ovarian cancer support charity Ovacome.

Miss Elms was diagnosed with the disease in December 2010 and underwent six months of chemotherapy.

But the cancer proved too aggressive and she died on November 2.

The ball is being organised by Abbie Condon, 28, of Madley Park, who had known Miss Elms for 10 years.

Her brother was engaged to Miss Elms.

She said: “Gem was always up for going out and getting dressed up. On my brother’s 30th birthday, she wore a lovely dress and these killer heels.

“They were very high and pointy and hurt her feet, but Gem danced in them all night and refused to take them off until she got home.

“A few weeks later both her toe nails came off. That was just par for the course with Gem – she suffered for her fashion.”

Miss Condon’s mother, Jane, who stayed in hospital with Miss Elms during her final week, phoned her daughter at 3.30am on November 2, to tell her of her friend’s death.

She said: “Losing Gemma, who had been a part of our family for the past 10 years, has devastated us all more than words can describe.

“Gem had become like a sister to me and a daughter to my mum. I wanted to do something to spread the word about ovarian cancer and raise money for Ovacome in Gem’s memory.”

The Killer Heels Ball will be a black tie event, with a three-course meal, live music from jazz band Down for the Count and a raffle and auction.

Miss Condon said: “Every time a company donates a prize, I just want to call Gem and tell her. Gem would have loved the ball.”

The event aims to raise awareness for ovarian cancer, which is the fifth most common cancer in women in the UK, affecting more than 6,500 women a year.

The disease is most common in women who have reached their menopause – about 85 per cent of those diagnosed are over 50 – but it can occur in younger women as well.

Ovacome is a UK-wide support network, which provides information for those affected by the disasease. March is ovarian cancer awareness month.

Miss Condon said: “I want to let women everywhere know about ovarian cancer. It is a silent killer and people do not know about it.”

To buy tickets for the Killer Heels Ball, call Miss Condon on 07966 541174 or email abbie_condon@ yahoo.co.uk