Mingling with the stars

8:48am Thursday 5th June 2008

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MUSIC mad Karis Lane was the belle of the ball when she was invited to mingle with the stars at a glittering event.

The 18-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and Turner's Syndrome, was invited to the glamorous occasion by the charity Caudwell Children.

Among the celebrities at the ball were singers Whitney Houston, Jason Donovan, the Sugababes, Kelly Rowland and Boyzone along with David Gest, Chris Tarrant, entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, Esther Rantzen and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

"Karis had the time of her life," said her delighted mother Karen.

"She is very sociable and loved meeting all the celebrities.

"They took a lot of time to talk to her."

Caudwell Children supports disabled youngsters across the country by providing equipment, granting wishes and supporting other initiatives including the NSPCC's Full Stop campaign.

They have helped provide Karis with two powered wheelchairs which allow her to live life to the full.

The teenager, from Allington, is a keen singer and loves listening to music and watching bands perform live.

She was born with cerebral palsy and later diagnosed with the genetic disorder Turner's Syndrome which affected her growth.

"Karis is proof that life doesn't stop just because you are in a wheelchair," said Karen.

"She has taken some GCSEs and is busy doing some more and she keeps us all busy with her active social life."

The ball, held at Battersea Evolution, raised £1.4 million for Caudwell Children, enabling the charity to support many more young people in need.

"Some of the lots in the auction and prizes were amazing and it was wonderful they raised so much," said Karen.

"Karis wants to give something back to the charity because they have given her these fantastic opportunities."