The 31 year old has been blessed with good looks, a bubbly personality and a brain. The latter has helped the marketing director win more than 20 top awards, including Young Marketer of The Year.

And if she hadn't gone into marketing, Kate could have had a career on stage. She's been singing with numerous bands since she was a teenager and last year organised the charity Soul & Motown Revue featuring Martha Reeves at The Victoria Theatre, Halifax, which was a sell-out.

Kate and her two friends, who make up The Yorkshire Dreamgirls performed at the event.

But unbeknown to most people Kate hides a secret heartache. It is highly unlikely she will ever be able to have the children she longs for because of a condition called endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a common but little-known condition that affects more than two million women in the UK and millions more around the world. It can affect fertility, be very painful and take, on average, eight years to diagnose. Because of this it can wreck relationships, destroy careers and leave women feeling isolated.

"Despite being so common there is a severe lack of awareness and understanding about it, which is why I've decided to speak out," says Kate who is married and lives in Holywell Green.

But rather than just voice her concerns, Kate is acting on them. She's organised a glamorous summer ball to raise money for research into the condition and hopefully make it less of a taboo subject.

Amazingly it will be the very first fund-raising event for the charity Endometriosis UK, which provides support and information to sufferers.

Kate is calling the ball, on Saturday, July 4, the first Butterfly Benefit (if it's a success, she plans more). It is being held at the newly refurbished The Rock at Holywell Green and 180 tickets are up for grabs. The events begins with a drinks reception, followed by a three-course meal in the balllroom. Entertainment is from The Dreamgirls and 12-piece backing band.

"It's the first big fund-raiser for the condition and it's happening in Calderdale so I hope local people will get behind me and support it," she says. Tickets are £50 each or £450 for a table of 10 and Kate's looking for sponsors for the event as well as revellers.

Kate started with endometriosis eight years ago. She had abdominal pain, backache and was rundown but it took specialists two years to diagnose it. The illness affects her to some extent most days, and while she manages her pain, there are occasions when she has to go to hospital for help.

"The staff know what the score is now and give me morphine for my cramps. I have to wait until it calms down, which can sometimes mean an overnight stay." Doctors tried, unsuccessfully, to induce an early menopause some years ago, which would have helped her symptoms.

No one knows what causes endometriosis and there is no cure. The most common symptom is pelvic pain.

As well as the pain and fatigue there is the mental damage. It can be a scary place to be and doesn't just affect a sufferer, their families go through it too," says Kate who claims it has, at times made her introverted because she isn't allowed to exercise, which can lead to weight gain.

"It always seems worse on days you want to have a great time too – the concert last year was difficult and it really affected my enjoyment."

Endometriosis UK says today there is an urgent need to grow its services so that it can help more women. "We are delighted Kate is helping to raise awareness.

"Some of the funds raised will help support our services in Yorkshire, such as our local groups and free helpline, which are often referred to as a lifeline by those who use them," said a spokeswoman. Anyone who would like to know more about the ball can visit Butterflybenefit@hotmail.co.uk or call 07766605645.

Fact file

• Endometriosis is a condition in which cells that usually line the womb are found elsewhere in the body.


• Most women are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40.


• It can occur in several places in the body, most commonly the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the bladder, the bowel, the intestines, the vagina and the rectum.


• The cells go through the same monthly changes as the womb lining itself, sometimes swelling and bleeding into the body cavity.


• In some women, endometriosis gets better on its own. But for most, it gets worse without treatment.


• It can affect any woman of childbearing age, regardless of ethnicity. It can also run in families.


• Treatment includes painkillers, hormonal medicines and in severe cases, surgery.


• Some women find complementary treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal remedies and homeopathy are helpful.