A MUTUAL love of music has spurred a woman to organise an evening of music in memory of her much-loved sister who died suddenly last December.

Organising The Dragonheart Ball at The Goodrest Tavern, Baker Street, on Saturday (November 1) has been a way for Kate Ford, from Rainbow Hill, Worcester, to remember her sister Jo as well as given her a focus to deal with the grief of losing her sister.

Jo, who left behind a husband and three sons, was found to have died from sudden adult death syndrome on December 28, 2013 aged just 39.

As a result, blood relatives all needed to have tests on their hearts and the ball will raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Mrs Ford said: "November would've seen my beautiful sister turn 40, and I couldn't shake the idea of wanting to do something to honour her memory.

"We were both born in and grew up in Worcester and we both loved music growing up.

"We were into pop and indie music and went to many concerts together.

"She was a fan of Westlife and Olly Murs and Jo was also a big football and Formula One fan."

After organising a surprise birthday party for her husband in May, Mrs Ford that having something to focus on had helped her and she felt she needed something else to get stuck into.

Acts including The Secrets and Demi Marriner will be performing at the evening, which begins at 6.30pm, and there will be a raffle and fireworks too.

"I couldn't shake the idea of doing something in Jo's memory that she would've loved.

"I wanted to do a charity event, so that my efforts would mean something and felt The British Heart foundation was the best cause considering our situation. "After talking it over with my husband and a friend, and then my parents, they told me to go for it.

"We decided upon November, as that is when Jo would've turned 40.

"I am spurred on by our mutual love of music and feel like the acts I have, the Secrets and Demi Marriner would be the sort of thing we both would love.

"I've seen them both live and they are perfect.

"Jo really would have loved it."

Tickets cost £10 (under 16s free with paying adult) and are available from the Goodrest Tavern as well as online at http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dragonheart-ball-2014-tickets-13019897865.

For more information, follow @dragonheartball on Twitter.