A fundraiser in honour of a young woman who lost her fight with cystic fibrosis on Boxing Day last year was a huge success.

Natasha Lowther was just three months old when she was diagnosed with the illness in 1993, but never let it hold her back.

Born in Manchester, she spent a lot of time at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool as a child, before moving down to Kent with her family when she was eight.

Wendy Lowther, Tash's mother, said: "Tash never let herself slow down and lived a life of happiness, smiles and love, leaving a wake of laughter wherever she went. She will continue to shine through everyone she met in her own little infectious way.

"Never would Tash have wanted us to mope around. Instead she would want us to reminisce and smile over cheerful times."

Family and friends gathered at the event on Thursday at Mumu in Maidstone, which raised money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and for a memorial tree for the Hildenborough woman to be planted in Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells.

Nicole Hollier, who organised the event, said: "This event was to celebrate what would have been Tash's 24th birthday. Just like Tash, we wanted this event to be cheerful, memorable, and above all, worthwhile.

"She was so loved, and still is so loved. The other reason we held the event was to raise money for the amazing Cystic Fibrosis Trust. They do such incredible work battling this terrible disease, and they are the only UK-wide charity that does so.

"I would like to thank everyone who has supported me through this, including the fabulous Mumu, the Jones family, Albion Printers in Bearsted, Fellow Flowers in Aylesford, and so many more, including my friends and family.

"I'd also like to say a very special and heartfelt thank you to Tash's family, especially Wendy, for allowing me the privilege of arranging this night in memory of Tash."

Guests enjoyed a three-course meal and themed yellow cocktails, the colour of Cystic Fibrosis Trust, as well as an auction, which included two holidays to Santorini, as well as a photo booth run by Portal Pod Photo Booths.

The event was also supported by TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh, who is a supporter of the charity. As part of her business Results with Lucy, she works with a cystic fibrosis sufferer, Sophie Grace Holmes.

In total more than £4,400 was raised from the event. Bracelets and keyrings have been designed in Tash's memory, with 25% from each sale going to Cystic Fibrosis Trust. The items are available here.