AN INSPIRATIONAL young girl from Burnham will experience the full glare of the media spotlight this week when she attends one of the most prestigious fundraising events in the UK.

Honey Lock, 12, who has cerebral palsy, a condition that stiffens the muscles and restricts mobility, will be a special guest at Caudwell Children’s annual Butterfly Ball, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London, on Thursday.

Caudwell Children is a national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families.

With their support, Honey travelled to America in 2011 for life changing surgery to improve her mobility, is one of six lucky beneficiaries of the charity who have been invited to the ball.

Honey, a pupil at Plume Academy, said: “I can’t wait to walk up the red carpet and I’m really excited about the stars that I may meet.

“I’m a mad Olly Murs fan, he’s my favourite singer, and I’ve seen Peter Andre loads of times on TV. I can’t wait to meet them in real life, it’s going to be amazing.”

The Butterfly Ball is Caudwell Children’s annual flagship fundraising event. Sir Bruce Forsyth, Rod Stewart, Simon Cowell, Joan Collins, and Sarah, Duchess of York, have been among the 800 guests at previous events and last year’s glamorous fundraiser raised £1.3million for the charity.

This year’s ball is hosted by long-standing Caudwell Children ambassador Peter Andre, will culminate in a live performance by Essex’s own Olly Murs.

Honey’s mum Rebecca Lock said: “The first thing that she said when she found out she had been invited to the Butterfly Ball, after she’d finished screaming, was ‘Mum I need a new outfit’, which we then rushed out and bought.

“She’s been desperate to tell people that she’s going but he had to wait until the charity announced the headline acts.”

Trudi Beswick, Chief Executive of Caudwell Children, said: “We supported Honey to go to America to have a life changing operation that’s improved her mobility.

"Since then the family has embraced the charity and have attended many fundraising events that we’ve held.

"She is a fantastic ambassador for us and regularly signposts family’s to our services. Honey’s even helped to fundraise for the charity.”

Visit www.caudwellchildren.com.