TICKETS have gone on sale for this year’s

Diamonds are Forever’ charity ball at Alton’s Maltings Centre.

SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity) and Act for SMA, a charity that supports families dealing with a diagnosis of the life-limiting early-life condition SMA Type 1, will be the beneficiaries of the annual event, which takes place this year on October 7.

It is run by a committee that includes Katherine Guenioui and her husband who lost their baby son, Brandon, when Katherine was six months pregnant in November 2014.

She said: “Having the Sands-supported facilities available at the Royal

Surrey Hospital made an incredibly difficult

experience that bit more bearable.

“Many hospitals don’t have specialist delivery suites for these kinds of situations, so mothers are in a position where they are going through this

unspeakable tragedy while surrounded by

people having a much more positive outcome.”

ACT for SMA is another charity close to Katherine’s heart her best friend Emma gave birth to a daugther, Eilys, who had SMA Type 1 and died in June 2016, just a few months before last year’s ball and only two weeks after celebrating her first birthday.

Tickets to the ball are now available at £40 and can be purchased online at www.altoncharityball.

co.uk until September 7. They include a welcome drink and a three-course meal, with catering by Party Nibbles.

The event will feature a live band, red carpet and light-up dance floor.