Katy becomes patron of Prestwood charity (From Bucks Free Press)

Katy becomes patron of Prestwood charity

10:10am Thursday 16th October 2008 in Search By Lucy Clapham

SINGING superstar Katy Setterfield has pledged her support to a Prestwood charity after becoming their patron.

The 38-year-old Dusty Springfield tribute act has agreed to become the celebrity face of the Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund - and is set to announce her support for the charity during her appearance at the Wycombe Swan tonight.

Katy, who was crowned winner of BBC talent contest The One and Only with her performance as Dusty, is currently on a UK tour, but was looking to get involved with a charity within her home county of Bucks.

Katy, from Geralds Road, High Wycombe, said she chose to become patron of the Thomas Ball charity as it worked with children.

"I wanted to do something local rather than national, they approached me to help them and I thought it was an absolutely ideal opportunity.

"I read Thomas Ball's story and what happened to him and it's so completely moving and sad.

"I'm really very honoured to be associated with the charity and they're doing such wonderful work on such a small amount of money."

Thomas Ball was eight when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare form of childhood cancer - and died six years later in June 2003.

During this time, while undergoing treatment, he raised thousands of pounds for research into the disease and his cancer fund was founded.

His family have continued to run it in his name and now organises holidays for youngsters suffering from neuroblastoma, including an annual trip to Disneyland Paris.

Elaine Ball, Thomas' mum, said she was "flabbergasted" when Katy accepted her request to become the charity's first ever patron.

"We have written to several people over the years but we have never struck lucky because most people are already doing it for somebody else," she added, "We're really excited about it. She's such a lovely lady and she's so well known and well liked in Wycombe, I think it can only be positive for both of us."

Elaine, who grew up with Dusty Springfield songs, was due to watch Katy during her High Wycombe debut and hold a collection for the charity - which marks its tenth anniversary next year - after the show.

She said: "My parents used to love Dusty Springfield so she's part of my childhood."

Katy, who appeared as her idol in the world famous Legends show in Las Vegas after winning the show, said she was "really keen" to help with the charity's fundraising efforts "I'm going to go and see Elaine and have a chat about a couple of things. I'm sure there's something we can do musically to raise some money," she added.

• Katy is at the Swan tonight from 7.30pm.