#40butnice unapologetically uses a 'significant' Birthday to raise a 'significant' amount of cash and awareness for charities which matter to me and to those I love.

Four years on from the loss of a spectacular human being, my beautiful friend Vicky Priest, the launch event this September is a Gatsby-themed gala ball called #40butnice at the stunning Reddam House. In memory of Vicky- who always had something dry and witty to bring to a situation, rocked a coral lippy, loved Christmas and fought a gallant but cruel and short battle with gynaelogical cancer - my main charity is The Eve Appeal.

To further extend the fundraising and to raise awareness for other great causes which have touched my life -and the lives of those around me - friends and family are also hosting tables for people and charities which matter to them, with each table supporting a different fantastic cause. Already amongst us we have Chemogiftbags, Prostate Cancer UK, Reading Refugee Support Group, Clic Sargent, Lepra, Cancer Research UK, Welsh Hearts, the DPJ Foundation. It's going to be such an inspirational night to have so many fantastic causes represented.

Inspired by the incredible work last year of Jacqueline Jones and Fortycubed -raising £40,000 across her 40th year, I was 'foolish' enough to suggest that it was such a good idea that someone should 'take on the baton' and so I am doing just that!.....calling it #40butnice - and fundraising throughout my 40th year to help charities which are important to me and to the people I love.

Thankyou Jac - you're an inspiration and an incredible force for good

...and Vicky - let's 'carpe the %^&* out of this diem', because groove really is in the heart. Cheers darlin', love you x