TICKETS are now on sale for the tenth Karis May Darling black tie charity ball, to be held at Orsett Hall Hotel on Saturday, 11 of October 2025.

The event, which this year features a Tom Jones tribute act and, once again, the Glitterball band, has been one of the highlights of the local calendar and has been a focal point to remember Karis, who passed away in 2011.

Karis was just 12 years old when she died after contracting a meningitis bug called Streptococcus A. Her grieving family decided to donate her heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas, as they knew it was what the kind-hearted youngster would have wanted.

In the years since the charity created in her name by parents John and Kerri Darling has grown and helped hundreds of local young people and many organisations.

The popular fun day event ended last year.

Last year, with a heavy heart, the couple called time on the popular and hugely well-supporter KMD fun day that took place annually in Corringham because of the rising costs of putting the event on.

However the annual dinner, and other fundraising events and work carried out at the KMD Foundation building in Corringham town centre, continue.

The charity sponsors children who are underprivileged or ill and offers support to as many communities and organizations as they possibly can.

It sponsors sports teams and provide them with new kits, equipment and monetary donations along with donating toys, gifts and vouchers to children's wards during the holidays and give nurses hampers as a reward and thanks for their hard work and dedication to continue saving lives.

Companies including DP World have partnered with charity in 2023. DP World offered their help through volunteers supporting gift wrapping events, refurbishing the community center, providing IT equipment to children, and giving the raffle prizes – as well as a significant cash donation.

Lakeside shopping centre also partnered up with the charity in 2021.

The Karis May Darling website features a donation page, as well as a section outlining volunteering opportunities. Details are also available on its Facebook page. The foundation hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including choir performances at care homes and town centers, cake sales and family fun days, charity twilight walks, football matches and many more activities you can donate your time to by volunteering or donating your efforts by simply showing up and supporting an event.

Every gesture, big or small helps continue the legacy of love and kindness that Karis inspired

Tickets for October's event are £67.50 and can be booked by contacting Jackie Faulkner on her Facebook page.