AN ACCLAIMED fund-raising event has been renamed in honour of an eight-year-old from Staffordshire.

National charity Caudwell Children has renamed its flagship annual event The Butterfly Ball in recognition of the thousands of pounds Tilly Griffiths and her family have raised for sick and disabled children across Britain.

Formerly known as The Legends Ball, the event attracts hundreds of celebrities. The 2008 ball raised £1.5 million.

At the event, Tilly and her sister Candice sold their picture of the charity's mascot, Tweaky, releasing butterflies into the air. It was auctioned and raised £360,000.

Trudi Beswick, chief executive of Caudwell Children, said: "Tilly and her family have been an inspiration to everyone working at the charity."