A MUM-OF-TWO who died following a seven-year battle with breast cancer will be honoured during a fundraising ball held in her memory.

Tanith Butters died aged 35 in 2009, and her family has since raised thousands of pounds for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.

The last ball, in 2011, saw £28,000 raised by Mrs Butters' family, and they are hoping to go one better on Saturday at York's National Railway Museum.

The former Tadcaster Grammar School pupil was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 shortly after the birth of her second child, Oscar.

She spent the next seven years being treated for the disease, and underwent a double mastectomy operation, but died on a family skiing holiday in 2009.

Since her death, family and friends have raised around £80,000 for the cancer charity by hosting two balls, and taking part in marathons and skydives.

Glynis Ashford, Tanith's mum, has enlisted the help of Bayford Oil to sponsor the ball and continue the tradition in memory of her daughter, who lived in Bilbrough with her husband and two children.

Mrs Ashford said: “Our guests are set to have lots of fun donating to Breakthrough Breast Cancer at our charity ball, so we’re very grateful to Bayford Oil for the donation.

“It is going to be a night of laughter and dancing – and I’m sure Tanith would love the idea of so many people having a great time in her honour.

"At our last charity ball for Tanith we raised £28,000 so we’re hoping to smash that target at this one – and it is support from companies like Bayford Oil which helps make this possible.”

The money donated by Bayford Oil, part of national fuel and lubricant distributor Certas Energy, will help to cover the cost of equipment hire on the night.

There is set to be a champagne reception, a live band, raffles, dancing, a three-course meal and more.

Kevin Latcham, regional operations manager for Bayford Oil, said: “We are always on the lookout for good causes to support in the communities we serve, so when Glynis approached us we agreed to help immediately.

“Not only is this ball a chance to celebrate Tanith’s life, it will also raise thousands of pounds for a very worthy charity.

"We are proud to support it and we are looking forward to hearing how the night goes.”