MORE children with life-threatening illnesses will be able to experience their greatest dreams thanks to a star-studded fundraising ball.

Make-A-Wish Foundation UK hosted its 12th annual summer ball at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock on Saturday.

The event usually raises about £100,000 for the charity and is expected to raise a similar amount this year.

More than 300 guests attended, including EastEnders actress Kara Tointon, Hollywood actor Robert Powell, Justin Fletcher, who plays Mr Tumble on children’s TV, Secret Millionaire Caroline Marsh, and Michelle Dewberry, winner of the BBC TV show The Apprentice.

Eleven-year-old Oliver Uglow, who battling acute myeloid leukaemia when he was granted his wish by the charity to go to Disney World Florida last year, also attended with his family.

In April, Georgie Reeves, 15, who attends Penhurst special school in Chipping Norton, got the chance to be a zookeeper at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Her father Ernie Reeves said: “It was very impressive the way Make-A-Wish handled everything – you couldn’t ask for a better organisation to look after the wishes of your child on a special day out.”

Guests at the ball were treated to a champagne reception in the Great Hall before dinner in a marquee in the palace grounds.

Each year a celebrity supporter hosts the ball, recounting tales from some of the wishes the charity has granted. This year, TV presenter and patron of Make-A-Wish Keith Chegwin. played host.

Singer Dionne Bloomfield, god-daughter of Amy Winehouse, opened the evening, before an auction where bidders competed for the chance to meet celebrities, and get signed memorabilia or holidays of a lifetime.

Guests then danced the night away to former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman and his Rhythm Kings.

To find out more about the charity, which is granting more than 700 wishes this year, visit make-a-wish.org.uk