A reality TV star hosted a black-tie charity ball which raised £16,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

Jake Quickenden, known for his roles on The X Factor, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Dancing on Ice, was the host for the event at Stoke by Nayland Golf Club.

The glitzy event was attended by around 200 guests and featured a three-course meal, live music, and a raffle and auction.

Prizes included a week-long holiday in Cape Verde, a stay in a top London hotel and a diamond necklace.

The event was organised by Vicky Hicks, who previously hosted a similar event in October 2021.

Vicky Hicks (left) and EACH's Jessica Sayer (Image: Supplied) Ms Hicks, who lives in Eight Ash Green, near Colchester, said: "Everything went brilliantly, and I was overwhelmed by people’s generosity.

"Jake was a perfect host and did such a brilliant job, ensuring everyone had fun, got in the spirit and gave generously when it came to the raffle and auction.

"He also shared his own personal experiences of losing his father and younger brother to cancer.

"In total, we raised in the region of £16,000 – a third of which we’re giving to another very worthy cause, Kids Inspire.

"Combined with some money I raised from a separate charity walk, it means we’re able to donate nearly £13,000 to EACH."

Ms Hicks was inspired to help EACH after attending an open day at the Treehouse hospice, in Ipswich, in 2019.

She said: "I was so moved by what I saw and it was very humbling, which motivated me to do something to help."

Vicky Hicks at her fundraising ball at Stoke by Nayland (Image: Supplied) In addition to the ball, Ms Hicks, along with family and friends, completed a 15-mile fundraising walk from Walton Pier to Clacton Pier, and back to Walton, on September 8.

Anna Bruce, EACH’s senior community fundraiser for Suffolk and East Essex, expressed her gratitude to Ms Hicks for her efforts.

She said: "We’re so grateful to Vicky. It’s such a phenomenal amount of money, and I hope she’s proud of herself.

"Hopefully, as she said, it made all the hard work, planning and organisation worthwhile.

"It sounds such a fun night, and our thanks go to everyone who bought tickets and supported the event, as well as generously buying raffle tickets and getting in the spirit during the auction."