An Epping-based charity is celebrating its 20th anniversary by hosting a London Butterfly Ball next month.

The event will be held at the Lancaster Hotel in central London on November 22 in aid of the Rhys Daniels Trust and the proceeds will go towards supporting its Home from Home appeal.

Home from Home provides self-contained, free accommodation for families of sick children who are receiving treatment in hospitals that are many miles from their own homes. The aim is to keep families together and to help provide a sense of normality.

At present, the charity runs 13 homes across the UK and it aims to open two more in Southampton.

It costs £130,000 a year to fund all 13 current homes and the charity receives no government funding.

The Rhys Daniels Trust was founded by Barry and Carmen Daniels in 1994 after they lost their two children, son Rhys and daughter Charly, to Late Infantile Batten's Disease. The charity was built on their personal experience as they had to relocate 170 miles to Bristol where Rhys was being treated in the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

The charity supports on average 200 families each year.

Tickets to the ball cost £150 and guests will enjoy dinner followed by entertainment and dancing. For more information or to book tickets, please email info@rhysdanielstrust.org or call 01992 570 550,