A fundraising event in aid of a trust set up in memory of a Brighouse schoolgirl is to be attended by TV funnyman Jack Dee.

The Laura Crane Trust, set up in October 1996 following the death of Brighouse High School pupil Laura Crane, 17, has enrolled the famous comedian as its new patron.

And in November, he will make a personal guest appearance at the Trust's fundraising dinner dance at Bertie's Banqueting Rooms in Elland.

Laura's mother Jacquie Roeder, who set up the charity, recently met the comic and his wife for dinner at the prestigious Ivy restaurant in London's West End.

"Last year I wrote to a number of celebrities asking for their support," said Mrs Roeder, whose daughter fought four kinds of cancer in a 14-month long battle.

"Jack wrote back, saying that he would associate his name with the charity and would be interested in helping us. I wrote back telling him all the reasons for being a patron and he said he was honoured to be asked and was delighted to accept.

"I was quite staggered at first because he is a really big name. It was all a bit overwhelming, but we have spoken on the phone and he e-mails us. He is just brilliant - a very genuine and family-orientated man."

Mrs Roeder said Jack said he never normally agreed to put his name to charities but became interested in the Trust because someone he was close to died very quickly from a very aggressive type of cancer, like Laura.

"Our dinner dance on November 10 this year will coincide with his performance at the Halifax Victoria Theatre, so he will be coming along afterwards," said Mrs Roeder.

"And the day after, he will do a show at Leeds Grand Theatre in aid of the Trust. Laura would have been thrilled with his involvement in this."

Jack Dee told the Telegraph & Argus: "Even when Laura was ill, she spent time visiting other sick young people. Her Trust is a great was of continuing the care that she showed and ensures improvements in the treatment for young people with cancer."

Mrs Roeder said the Trust was set up with the aim of raising £10,000 a year, but it has far exceeded its goal.

Around £40,000 has so far been raised every year and a total of around £180,000 has now been raised.

The money raised by the Trust goes towards buying equipment to improve the social and recreational facilities of teenage patients in local hospitals.

Tickets for the November event will be on sale later in the year, but the Trust is looking for volunteers to help out at a street collection in Huddersfield.

Anyone interested can call the Laura Crane Trust on (01484) 510013.