The J’s Hospice in Witham is celebrating its 16th birthday with an anniversary ball on Friday October 4 at The Lion House in Boreham.

The black-tie event includes a three-course meal, a raffle, silent auction and lots of dancing.

Founder, Denise Whiffin first realised the need for hospice care when she was caring for her son Johnathan.

When he was three-year-old, Johnathan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dsytrophy, a genetic disorder that cause the muscles to weaken and degenerate. As he grew older, his mobility and health deteriorated before he passed away in 2002.

Two years later, on March 1, what would have been Jonathan’s 21st birthday, Denise launched The J’s Hospice, the first hospice service in the country to care for young adults aged 16-40.

Denise said: “Johnathan would have loved what The J’s Hospice does. This work is so important, especially when there is no other specialist hospice for these young adults.

“We receive minimum funding from the government and so we rely on the generosity of the public, which is why we are organising the Autumn Ball. It will be a lovely evening and we hope that lots of people will join us.”

To buy tickets to the celebrations contact Denise and the Friends of The J’s at friendsofthejs@gmail.com or 01245475052