Joe Chinnery's family have made sure that his memory lives on with an annual charity ball.

They have held the event each year since he passed away from a brain tumour in 2007.

It is always a popular event and the ball last year raised more than £7,000.

This year Joe would have been celebrating his 18th birthday and so it is an extra special occasion for his mum Tracey Bell.

Towie cast members Billie Faier and Harry Derbidge are lined up to attend the event this weekend.

Tracey says: "Joe attended the first charity event and he loved it. Now we do it every year to raise money for the charities that helped us and to keep his memory alive.

"It would have been a big birthday for him and the ball it is a way for us to celebrate it."

Initially Joe did not have any symptoms with his brain tumour apart from waking up with a bad headache in 2006.

Tracey says: "We took Joe to the doctor and he was sent for a scan where they discovered a benign tumour in the centre of his brain.

"He had treatment which finished in the spring of that year and we thought everything was fine but by August the tumour had returned and was unable to be treated".

Sadly Joe passed away in 2007 aged just 11 years old.

Tracey, 41 from Romford, says: "Counselling really helped me and the rest of the family and we wanted to give something back to the charities that helped us.

"We raised money originally for the Parrot ward which Joe was on at great Ormond Street. We have also fundraised for Make A Wish Foundation, Starlight Children's Foundation and the Havering and Brentwood Bereavement Service.

"This year is going to be a particularly great event with a three course meal, raffle, auction and disco. We are hoping to raise a lot more money and have some fantastic raffle and auction prizes, including a pair of football boots signed by David Beckham."

The Joe Chinnery 18th birthday charity ball takes place at Greenwoods Hotel & Spa in Stock Road, Stock on Saturday 4 October from 6.30pm. Visit www.greenwoodshotel.com for details and for Havering and Brentwood Bereavement Service HBBS or to make a donation visit hbbscounselling.org.